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CIHM/ICMH 

Microfiche 

Series. 


CIHIVI/ICIVIH 
Collection  de 
microfiches. 


Canadian  Institute  for  Historical  MIcroraproductions  /  Institut  Canadian  de  microreprodiictions  historiques 


Technical  and  Bibliographic  Notes/Notes  techniques  et  bibliographiques 


The  I  istitute  has  attempted  to  obtain  the  best 
original  copy  available  for  filming.  Features  of  this 
copy  which  may  be  bibliographically  unique, 
which  may  alter  any  of  the  images  in  the 
reproduction,  or  which  may  significantly  change 
the  usual  method  of  filming,  are  checked  below. 


D 


D 


D 


D 


y 


D 


Coloured  covers/ 
Couverture  de  couleur 


I      I    Covers  damaged/ 


D 


Couverture  endommagie 


Covers  restored  and/or  laminated/ 
Couverture  restaurte  et/ou  pellicul^e 


I      I    Cover  title  missing/ 


Le  titre  de  couverture  manque 


Coloured  maps/ 

Cartes  g6ographiques  en  couleur 


□    Coloured  ink  (i.e.  other  than  blue  or  black)/ 
Encre  de  couleur  (i.e.  autre  que  bieue  ou  noire) 

I      I    Coloured  plates  and/or  illustrations/ 


Planches  et/ou  illustrations  en  couleur 

Bound  with  other  material/ 
ReiiA  avec  d'autres  documents 

Tight  binding  may  cause  shadows  or  distortion 
along  interior  margin/ 

La  re  liure  serrde  peut  causer  de  I'ombre  ou  de  la 
distortion  le  long  de  la  marge  intirieure 

Blank  leaves  added  during  restoration  may 
iippear  within  the  text.  Whenever  possible,  these 
have  been  omitted  from  filming/ 
II  se  peut  que  certaines  pages  blanches  ajoutAes 
lors  d'une  restauration  apparaissent  dans  le  texte, 
mais,  lorsque  ceia  Atait  possible,  ces  pages  n'ont 
pas  M  filmAes. 

Additional  comments:/ 
Commentaires  supplAmentaires; 


L'Institut  a  microfilm*  le  meilleur  exemplaire 
qu'ii  lul  a  6ti  possible  de  se  procurer.  Les  details 
d«  cet  exemplaire  qui  sent  peut-Atre  uniques  du 
print  de  vue  bibliographique.  qui  peuvent  modifier 
une  image  reproduite,  ou  qui  peuvent  exigar  une 
modification  dans  la  mAthode  normale  de  filmage 
sont  indiquAs  ci-dessous. 


r~~|   Coloured  pages/ 


n 


Pages  de  couleur 

Pages  damaged/ 
Pages  endommagies 

Pages  restored  and/oi 

Pages  restauries  et/ou  pelliculAes 

Pages  discoloured,  stained  or  foxe( 
Pages  d^colortes,  tachettes  ou  piqudes 


r~~|   Pages  damaged/ 

r~~|    Pages  restored  and/or  laminated/ 

FT]    Pages  discoloured,  stained  or  foxed/ 


□    Pages  detached/ 
Pages  d^tachAes 

HShowthrough/ 
Transparence 

I      I    Quality  of  print  varies/ 


Quality  inigale  de  I'impression 

Includes  supplementary  materiel/ 
Comprend  du  materiel  supplAmentaire 

Only  edition  available/ 
Seule  Edition  disponible 


Pages  wholly  or  partially  obscured  by  errata 
clips,  tissues,  etc.,  have  been  refilmed  to 
ensure  the  best  possible  image/ 
Les  pages  totalement  ou  partiellement 
obscurcies  par  un  feuillet  d'errata,  une  pelure, 
etc.,  ont  Jt^  filmAes  A  nouveau  de  fa^on  A 
obtenir  Ih  ..teilleure  image  possible. 


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This  item  is  filmed  at  the  reduction  ratio  checked  below/ 

Ce  document  est  film*  au  taux  de  reduction  indiquA  ci-dessous. 

10X  14X  18X  22X 


26X 


30X 


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t  modifier 
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>  filmage 


The  copy  filmed  here  hae  been  reproduced  thenica 
to  the  generoaity  of: 

Canadian  War  IMuseum 
Ottawa 

The  imagea  appearing  here  are  the  beat  quality 
poaaible  conaidering  the  condition  and  legibility 
of  the  original  copy  and  in  keeping  with  the 
filming  contract  apeciflcationa. 


L'exemplaire  film4  f ut  reproduit  grAce  A  la 
ginAroaitA  de: 

IMuste  de  guerre  du  Canada 
Ottawa 

Lea  imagea  aulvantea  ont  At4  reproduitea  avec  ie 
plua  grand  aoin,  compta  tenu  de  la  condition  at 
de  la  nettetA  de  l'exemplaire  filmA,  et  en 
conformity  avec  lea  conditiona  du  contrat  de 
filmage. 


/ 
Li6es 


Original  coplea  in  printed  paper  covera  are  filmed 
beginning  with  the  front  cover  and  ending  on 
the  laat  page  with  a  printed  or  llluatrated  imprea- 
aion,  or  the  back  cover  when  appropriate.  All 
other  originel  copiea  are  filmed  beginning  on  the 
firat  page  with  a  printed  or  llluatrated  imprea- 
alon,  and  ending  on  the  laet  page  with  a  printed 
or  llluatrated  impreaalon. 


Lea  exemplairea  originaux  dont  la  couverture  en 
papier  eat  imprlmte  aont  filmte  an  commandant 
par  Ie  premier  plat  et  en  terminant  soit  par  la 
derniAre  page  qui  comporte  une  empreinte 
d'Impreaalon  ou  d'illuatration,  aolt  par  ie  second 
plat,  aelon  Ie  caa.  Toua  lea  autrea  exemplairea 
originaux  aont  filmte  en  commenpant  par  la 
premiAre  page  qui  comporte  une  empreinte 
d'Impreaaion  ou  d'illuatration  et  en  terminant  par 
la  derniAre  pege  qui  comporte  une  telle 
empreinte. 


The  laat  recorded  frame  on  each  microfiche 
ahali  contain  the  aymboi  — »>  (meaning  "CON- 
TINUED"), or  the  aymboi  y  (meaning  "END"), 
whichever  appliea. 


Un  dea  aymboiea  auivanta  apparattra  sur  la 
dernlAre  image  de  cheque  microfiche,  aelon  Ie 
caa:  Ie  aymbolo  — »>  algnifie  "A  &UIVRE",  Ie 
aymbole  y  algnifie  "FIN". 


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Mapa.  piatea,  charta.  etc.,  may  be  filmed  at 
different  reduction  ratloa.  Thoae  too  large  to  be 
entirely  included  In  one  expoaure  are  filmed 
beginning  in  the  upper  left  hand  corner,  left  to 
right  and  top  to  bottom,  aa  many  framea  aa 
required.  The  following  diagrama  illuatrate  the 
method: 


iMs.  cartea,  planchea,  tableaux,  etc.,  peuvent  Atre 
fllmie  A  dea  taux  de  rMuction  diffirenta. 
Loraque  Ie  document  eat  trop  grand  pour  Atre 
reproduit  en  un  aeul  cllchA,  11  eat  fiimA  A  partir 
de  Tangle  aupArieur  gauche,  de  gauche  A  droite, 
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UNITED  STATES  AND  GR^AT-BRI 


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lEilitarp  anti  iftateal  (&ptt^iim$^ 


ZUXJSTSUTfit  WITH  FZ^'nSB. 


B¥H,  M,  BILflCKKJ\rRIDQE,SSfl, 


Second  Edition, 

BSVISXD  AND  GORRSCTKO. 


I  i    ^\S 


BJiLTJMOBE:      '\ 

PUBIJSHED  AND  SOLD  BY  JOSEPH  CUSKINO, 

NO.   6,  N.   BOWARD-STaEST. 


/.  fiobinaon,  Ptintet\ 
1817. 


I 


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50-?  3- 3 
5  7 


i\ 


BE  rr  REMEMBERED,  That  on  this  Twentieth  day  of  Januuy, 

Sm  the  FoHy-first  year  of  the  Independence  of  the  United 
States  of  Ameriea,  Joseph  Cvshing,  of  the  said  District,  hath 
depoated  in  this  office  the  title  of  a  Boole,  the  right  whereof 
he  claims  as  Proprietor ;  in  the  words  following,  to  wit  :— 
y**  History  of  the  Late  War,  between  the  United  States  and  Great-Bri« 
ttdn.*— ContHttiing  a  ininate  account  of  the  various  Military  and  Natal  Ope- 
ntions.— niuBtrated  with  Plates.— By  H.  M.  Braokenndge,  Esq." 

In  confttnmty  to  the  act  of  the  Congress  of  the  United  States,  entitled, 
*' An  act  for  the  eiicourag^eiAent  of  learning,  by  securing  the  copies  of 
infip%  eharts  and  books,  lo  the  authors  and  proprietors  of  such  oopiesdur- 
ing  the  times  therdn  mentioned."  And  also  to  the  act,  entitled,  **  An  acl 
aipplementaiy  to  aa  act,  entitled,  **  An  act  for  the  enoourMement  of 
Icnrmng^  tyweiiriiigthe  coj^aof  maps,  charts,  and  books,  to  toe  authors 
twd  ^n^rietrnv  of  such  copies  during  the  times  therein  mentioned.,"  and 
«ztendin(^  the  benefits  thereof  to  the  arts  of  deagning^  engraving,  and 
ttdiiiiK  hiatorieal  and  other  prints." 

PHILIP  MOORE, 
Clerk  of  the  IKstrictof  Mvyland. 


Declai 
Crc 
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mac 


J\*avai 
Hon 
Caf 
side 
Wa 

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kins 
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Troop, 

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Bon 
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Cha 


NATIONAL  MUSEUMS  OF  CANAP 
MUSSES  NATIONAUX  DU  CANAl 
UBRARY  -  BIBLIOMQUE 


0  ^ 10^^ 


■.  * . 


■■^ 


Jlfera^ 


CONTENTS. 


CHAPTER  I. 

Declaration  of  War^^General  Hull  reaches  Detroit-^ 
Crosses  into  Canada^-I^irmiahes  on  the  river  *9ux  Ca" 
nards — Battle  of  Br ownstaum— Taking  of  MichiU- 
mackinack — TtScing  of  Chicago-^Bame  of  . 
— 2%«  surrender  of  HulL 

CHAPTER  II. 

JVaval  events — Cruise  of  Commodore  RodgerS'^CoiutUu* 
Hon  chases  the  Belvidera — Captures  the  Chterriit^ 
Captain  Porter  captures  the  JUert-^Cruise  of  the  Pre- 
sident-^United  States  capture*  the  Macedonian  the 
Wasp  captures  the  Frolich-^Frivateer^'^^-Stn^aHma 
excited  in  England,  tiig9  44 

CHAPTER  III. 

€7en.  Barrison  takes  command  of  the  JVWAtre^tvrn  arili|f 

•--Expedition  under  general '  Winchester  —'fiMw*  fli)jp* 

kins— Defence  oflP^rrt  Harrison— CoL  CkaupM^pr  Jp* 

pedition.  --MmiT 

CHAPTER  IV.  .^      [:m-y     - 

Troops  on  the  Canada  frotUier,'<^CaplKre  of  the  tSakdonia 
■—Battle  of  ^eenstown,  and  deam  of  genend  Brocb^ 
Bombardment  of  JSTiagara-'^^bortive  attempt  of  gene- 
ral  Smyth — Northern  Army'— first  crtuse  ofcommodir$ 
Chauncey,  Page  Tl 

CHAPTER  V. 

Meeting  of  Congress — Proposal  for  an  Armistice— -Be- 
verses  of  JKIapoleon — Measures  for  atrrying  tm  ^ 
War— Blockade  of  our  coasts — The  f^^^Wfi^  IndiaiM 
—Tecumseh^s  visit  to  the  Creeks— ff^jj^ljl^  |feg  <Sfeini- 
noles — Third  naval  victory  over  a  Mffmtlk^^igttte-— 
Disasters  of  our  arms  to  the  West*  Poge  86 

CHAPTER  VI, 

JSkmson  returns  to  Ohio— General  Winehestet  seHdB  a 
detachment  to  protect  Frenchtown— Colonel  Lewis  de- 
feats  the  Britim  and  Indians^^Wiriehester  arrives  with 


i 


I 

4 


«&- 


m^im 


■■..  M 


i? 


CONTENTS. 


reinfofi^Mments^Battle  of  the  Tiver  Raisin-^Shocking 
conduct  of  the  British  and  their  allies — Harrison^s  re- 
tum-^aUg^  of  Fort  Mng»— 'Defeat  of  Dudley-^The 
^ege  rais^—Eocploit  of  Mijor  Ball.  Page  99 

CHATTER  VII. 

British  preparations  in  Caaada'^Incursion  of  Forsythe 
--Attack  on  Ogdenshurgh — The  taking  of  Fork,  and 
death  of  Fike— Taking  ofFoH  Geot^s-^Battle  of  Sto- 
ney  creek,  and  capture  of  ger^erals  Chandler  and  Win- 
der^^Oeneral  Brown  defends  Sackett^s  Harbour—-^ 
Mes^nation  of  general  dearborns — The  town  ofSodus 
attacked — Battle  of  Beaver  Bams — Second  taking  of 
Fbrk-^BrUish  devastate  tite  Borders  of  Lake  Cham- 
plain — Cruise  of  commodore  Chauncey.  Page  1 19 
CHAPTER  VIII. 

War  on  the  coast — Paper  Blockades — Exploits  of  Cock- 
bumr^Plundering  and  burning  of  Havre  de  Grace'— 
Burning  of  Georgetown  and  P'redericktoum^^rrival 
of  Admurm  Warrer,i  and  Sir  Sidney  Betkwith — ScU' 
V¥sm  eiiiea  threatened— ^ttank  on  Crany  Island— » 
EnoTRtitics  at  Hampton-^Cockbum  plunders  the  coast 
nf  Mrth  Carolina — Blockade  of  the  American  squa- 
dron  at  ^ew'lfindon,  by  Commodore  Bardy-TThe  Tcr- 
pedo  System,  Page  149 

CHAPTER  IX. 

Mval  affairs— The  Hornet  captures  the  Peacock^^The 
Shannon  captures  the  Chesapeake— The  Pelican  cap- 
tures the  Argus — The  Enterprixe  captures  the  Boxer 
"•^Cruis?  of  Commodore  Porter  in  the  South  Seas- 
Cruise  of  Commodore  Badgers— 'Of  Cojotain  Stewart— 
The  Privateer  General  Armstrong — The  Decatur  eap' 
tures  the  Dominica,  Page  106 

CHAPTER  X. 
^  lira  of  the  West — Patriotick  conduct  of  Ohio  and 
'Kentucky — Defence  of  Sandusky — Generosity  of  the 
Americans— J>/laval  preparations  on  Lake  Erie— Com- 
modore Perry  sails  with  his  Fleet — Capture  of  the  ene- 
my's squadron— Battle  of  the  Thames  and  death  of  Te* 
ewsiaehr— Correspondence  between  GenerkU  Harriso^ 
and  General  Vincent,  Page  179 


CONTENTS. 


CHAPTER.  XI. 

Preparations  for  invading  Canada — General  Wilkinson 
takes  command — Rendezvous  of  the  American  forces—- 
General  Wilkinson  descends  me  St.  LnwrenceSattle 
of  CkrystWs  field-  -Hampton^s  inahility  to  co-operate 
—Failure  of  the  Expedition — Cruise  of  Commodore 
Chauncey—The  Burning  of  JSQueark—SrUish  retatia- 
twn,  m  Page  196 

CHAPTER  XII. 

Meeting  of  Congress  and  violence  ^  party  spirit — MeU' 
sures  for  carrying  on  the  war — Unfriendly  deportment 
of  the  JVew  England  states — The  subject  of  retaliation 
— *i  committee  of  Congress  inquires  into  the  manner  in 
which  the  war  has  been  carried  on  by  the  enemy— 2%e 
war  gaining  ground  in  the  United  States,  Page  214 
CHAPTER  XIII. 

'JHie  Southern  war — Massacre  of  Fort  JVRms — Epedition 
af^eneralJacksony  and  general  Cocke — Battle  of  Tat-' 
tetKga— 'Indians  surprised  by  general  Cocke-^Exyedi' 
tion  of  general  Floyd — Oriticid  situation  of  general  _ 
Jackson — Defeat  of  the  Indians— ^The  Creeks  tbtal^ 
defeated  at  the  Horse-shoe-bend— 'General  Jackson  fer- 
fninates  the  Creek  war  and  dictates  a  peace.  Page  S24 
CHAPTER  XIV. 

General  Wilkinson  retires  to  Plattsbursh—Gen,  Brown 
marches  to  the  JyTlagara  frontier'— AJ^ir  at  La  Colle—' 
'Exertions  of  commodore  MDonou^h  to  create  a  naval 
force — Contest  for  superiority  on  Lake  Ontario— -At- 
tack of  Oswego— Death  of  colonel  Forsythe — Colonel 
Campbell's  expedition — Gallant   defence   of    captain 
Holmes — Several  reflections  on  the  state  of  our  affairs 
— Commodore  Fardy  invades  the  northern  sea-coast— 
Takes  possession  of  Eastport  and  Castine— Gallant  de- 
fence of  Stonington — T'he  John  Maths  destroyed* 

Page&35 
CHAPTER  XV. 

J\lhvalincidents—The  Plantagenet  74,  declines  a  cor>.*88t 
with  Commodore  Bodgers— Captain  Stewart  chases  a 
British  frigate  of  equal  force — Cruise  of  Commodore 
Portei-^Typee  war— The  Essev  captured  by  the  Phabe 


m 


*""""*'' ,  ,   II  ■  .  ^...^ l'"  ill  'IJO.  .  .J   — 


VI 


COJn^NTS. 


1l^ 


and  duruh-mThe  Peacock  captures  the  Epervier--71ie 
Wasp  captures  the  Reindeer — The  Wasp  siriks  the  Avon 
-—Loss  of  the  Wasp — Frigate  President  captured  by  a 
s^adron — Constitution  engages  and  captures  twoBri- 
Its/t  sloops,  the  Cyane  and  Levant'— -The  Hornet  captures 
the  Penguin.  Page  253 

CHAPTER  XVI. 

Jifovements  of  the  Jirmy  on  the  JViagara  Frontier'— Cag" 
ture  of  Fort  Erie— Battle  of  Chippawor-Death  of  Ge- 
neral Shmft— Battle  of  MagaraSiege  of  Fort  Erie 
—d&sauU  upon  Fort  Erie— Sortie  upon  the  British 
works — Affairs  of  the  West — Expedition  against  Mi- 
ehiUmackinack,  Page  9,7% 

CffAPTER  XVII. 

War  on  the  sea-coast — Engagements  between  the  enemy 
and  Barney's  fiotilla  in  the  Chesapeake — Plunderings 
of  the  Briti^— Washington  and  Baltimore  threatened 
— Qeneral  Winder  appointed  to  command  the  IQth  dis- 
trict— Serious  apprehensions  from  the  British— Diffi- 
euUies  in  collecting  an  efficient  force  for  defence- 
Capture  of  Washingon — The  plunder  of  Alexandria, 

Page  300 
CHAPTER  XVIII. 

Sensations  produced  by  the  capture  of  Washington,  in 
Europe  and  in  England — Effect  of  this  event  in  the 
United  States — Glorious  defence  of  Baltimore — The 
retreat  of  the  British — Cap  ure  of  the  British  squad- 
ron on  Lake  Champlain — Repulse  of  Sir  George  Pre- 
vost—The  British  fleet  leaves  the  Chesapeake,  and  a 
part  sails  to  the  south.  P<ige  SSS 

CHAPTER  XIX. 

VhanimUy  of  sentiment  in  Congress — British  sine  qua  non 
^— Affairs  to  the  Smithward— Creek  hostilities— Jnua- 
tion  of  Louisiana — Affairs  of  the  gun-boats — British 
forces  landed  in  Louisiana — Battle  of  the  93d  of  De- 
cember— Battle  of  the  Bth  of  January— The  British 
^om.pelled  to  ntreat— 'Bombardment  of  J^eri.  St,  Philip 
•—Peace  with  Great  Britain*  Pa^  34^ 


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INTBODXJCTiaN. 


^' 


One  tniongst  the  Bumeroug  artifices,  which  the  selfleh* 
ness  of  European  nations  has  put  m  practice,  the  better 
to  retain  the  American  colonies  in  a  slavish  suMectioB, 
or  what  araounts  to  the  same  thing,  in  a  state  of  perpe- 
tual non-age,  has  been  to  claiin  over  them  a  muUrwU  au- 
thority i  ofr  prerogative.  If  th^  fiction^  imposed  upon 
them,  tlte  obligation  of  treating  the  colonies  with  tender- 
ness and  affection,  the  colonies  might  regard  it  as  inno- 
cent, if  not  salutary ;  but  it  is  used  to  cover  the  cruel 
iniquity  of  fastening  on  ti.  ir  necks  the  joke  of  con* 
quest.  The  self-styled  mother,  without  a  spark  of  that 
affection  which  exists,  as  a  law  of  nature,  in  the  breast  of 
every  creature,  would  inculcate,  that,  on  our  part,  to  re* 
fuse  the  most  implicit  and  slavish  obedience,  to  what- 
ever dispositions  she  may  choose  to  make  of  our  persons 
or  estates,  to  her  sole  and  exclusive  benefit,  is  no  less^ 
than  filial  impiety.  That  the  opposition  of  the  colonies 
to  the  most  glaring  abuse  of  power,  was  in  them  the  con- 
duct of  wicked  and  unnatural  children ;  that  reniptt^ 
airance  was  insolence,  and  resistance  atrocity.  From 
no  better  source  than  this  idle  fiction,  proceed  the  invec- 
tives lavished  on  the  colonies,  for  manfully  resenting  the 
indignities  that  have  been  offered  them. 

It  is  time  that  this  shallow  artifice  should  be  exposed. 
It  has  encouraged  the  nations  of  Europe  to  make  their  un- 
warranted demands  upon  us,  and  it  has  too  often  with- 
held our  arm  from  opposing  them,  in  the  manner  that  we 
ought.  As  a  poetick  fiction,  it  might  serve  to  amuse  the 
fancy.  It  was  first  invented  by  the  colonist  himself,  t» 
express  his  affection  for  the  soil  of  his  nativity,  or  the 
birth  place  of  his  ancestors;  for  who  is  there  that  cease» 
to  love  the  spot  from  which  he  is  an  exile  ?  He  little 
thought  that  he  was  contriving  a  fiction,  which  would  etm^ 
ble  the  inhabitants  of  that  paternal  soil,  his  kinsmen,  tor 
claim  the  privileges  of  masters ;  tliey  could  feel  no  affec- 


•  ••• 

▼111 


INTRODUCTION. 


tion  for  the  exile,  or  the  land  which  received  him.  So 
«tronelj  ha»  this  fiction  fastened  itself  upon  all  our 
thou^te,  that  it  has  become  necessary  to  make  an  effort 
to  shake  it  off,  and  return  to  simple  truth.  Are  the  pre- 
sent inhabitants  of  the  British  isles,  the  fathers,  or  mo- 
thers of  the  Americans  P  Are  they  brothers,  or  cousins, 
or  tenth  cousins  ?  No :  We  sprang  from  the  same  stock, 
have  a  common  ancestry,  and  that  is  all.  We  have  at 
much  right  to  claim  a  parental  prerogative  over  English- 
men, as  thejT  have  to  clai  n  it  over  us. 

An  enlightened  and  fidventurous  individual,  opened 
the  way  to  the  new  world  $  others,  not  less  adventurous, 
subdueid  it  and  established  colonies..  Columbus  was  re- 
warded with  a  dungeon,  and  the  hardy  colonists  who  so 
much  enriched  the  pa  .ent  state,  were  shut  up  in  their 
country  as  in  a  prison,  watched  hj  the  dragon  jealousy 
of  Spain.  The  colonies  of  Britain  were,  for  the  most 
part,  established  by  persons  who  fled  from  persecution, 
and  at  the  private  expense  of  the  colonists.  They  were 
suffered  to  struggle  with  the  difficulties  incident  to  their 
new  situation,  and  after  they  had  thus  grown  up  in  ne- 
glect, and  become  possessed  of  what  might  tempt  the  cu- 
pidi^iy  of  the  European  mother,  she  assumed  the  arbitra- 
ry power  of  <<  binding  them  in  all  cases  whatsoever,*' 
in  other  words,  she  declared  them  in  a  state  of  vassallage. 

In  leaving  the  land  of  our  forefathers,  already  crowded 
with  population,  our  condition  was  ameliorated,  at  the 
same  time  that  a  correspondent  benefit  accrued  to  the 
mother  country,  in  the  creation  of  new  marts  for  her 
trade.  We  carried  with  us  the  language,  the  laws,  the 
literature,  the  *^  free  born  thoughts,"  of  our  ancestors, 
to  which  we  were  as  much  entitled  as  the  islanders  whom 
we  left  in  possession  of  the  natale  solum.  We  left  be- 
hind, indeed,  many  customs  and  institutions,  not  suited 
to  our  new  situation,  or  which  we  considered  as  useless* 
Admitting  that  the  infancy  of  the  colonies  was  protected 
by  the  European  states  does  this  create  a  debt  of  grati- 
tude never  to  be  repaid  P  Does  it  authorise  the  treating 
of  the  colonies  as  subjugated  countries  P  The  European 
states  have  been  J  ong  ago  repaid  a  thousand  fold.    The 


INTRODUCTION.  U 

new  world  has  been  continually  pouring  forth  her  trea- 
sures, to  be  lavished  in  distant  wars,  to  be  expended  in 
courtly  extravagance,  or  to  contribute  to  the  comfort  of 
myriads  across  the  Atlantick.  The  colonie^  were  foster- 
ed from  inferes^  never  from  affection.  The  conduct  of 
the  European  stote,  far  from  being  that  of  a  mother,  has 
b^en  that  of  a  wicked  guardian,  whose  only  wish  is  to 
lengthen  the  pupilage  of  his  ward,  that  he  may  riot  in 
his  estate.  Away  then  with  the  trash  of  filial  obedience 
in  the  colonies,  unnatural  children,  unnatural  wars,  or 
maternal  prerogative. 

The  obstinaS  persistance  of  Great-Britain  in  her  pre- 
tensions to  this  prerogative,  first  broke  the  ties  of  depen- 
dence, which  it  was  so  much  her  interest  to  preserve, 
and  her  subsequent  illiberal  policy,  has  tended  to  weaken 
the  influence  of  affinity,  which  a  true  wisdom  would 
have  taught  her  to  cherish.  Why  is  it  that  the  enmity  of 
those,  between  whom  there  naturally  exists  the  most 
numerous  bonds  of  friendship, -is  the  most  bitter?  It  is 
because  each  of  these  is  a  distinct  cord  which  may  vi« 
brate  to  the  feelings  of  hatred,  as  vrtW  as  of  love.  With 
China,  with  Turkey,  with  France,  we  may  be  eoverned 
by  temporary  and  varying  policy,  but  towards  England 
we  can  nev^r  feel  indifference.  Why  then  has  En^and 
taken  so  much  pains,  to  make  us  hate  her  as  a  nation  ? 
The  grievances  of  which  we  li|ve  to  complun,  br  fre- 
quent recital,  have  grown  weansome  to  the.$ilh .  ?%ere 
always  existed,  and  still  exists,  numerous  tiriisto^  attach 
us  to  Britain,  which  nothing  but  her  ungentumi  and  un- 
natural policy,  can  weaken  or  destroy.  Her  wisest  and 
best  men  foretold  to  her,  the  consequences  of  the  usur- 
pations which  led  to  our  independence,  and  yet  she  still 
continued  to  afflict  us,  with  every  species  of  irritating 
and  insulting  deportment,  and  then  at  last  complained  of 
our  unnatural  conduct,  in  refusing  to  bear  it  any  longer. 

With  the  acknowledgment  of  our  independence*  Great 
Britain  did  not  renounce  her  designs  of  subjugating  Ame* 
rica.  Force  had  been  found  unavailing,  she  next  resolv- 
ed to  try  what  might  be  done  by  fraud.  For  many  yean 
after  the  peace  of  1783,  our  affairs  wore  no  promising  ap« 


INTRODUCTION. 


M 


pearance.  The  confederation,  which  bound  the  states 
during  their  struggle  against  a  common  enemy,  was  too 
feeble  to  hold  them  together  in  a  time  of  peace.  The 
cement  of  eur  union  being  thus  taken  away,  England 
foresaw  what  we  had  to  encounter,  and  prophecying  ac- 
cording to  her  wishes,  solaced  herself  with  the  hope  of 
feeing  us  divided  and  engaged  in  civil  broils.  The  seeds 
of  dissention  had  been  abundantly  sown,  our  state  of 
fiuance  was  deplorably  defective  ;  it  might  almost  he  said, 
that  the  nation  was  at  an  end,  for  so  many  jaring  inter- 
ests discovered  themselves  in  the  states,  as  almost  to 
preclude  the  hope,  of  reducing  these  discordant  ele- 
ments to  harmony  and  order.  A  state  of  anarchy  and 
civil  war  might  restore  us  to  Great  Britain.  Happily 
for  America,  she  possessed  at  this  moment,  a  galaxy  of 
sages  and  patriot?^,  who  held  a  powerful  influence  over 
the  minds  of  their  fellow-citizens.  By  their  exertions,  a 
spirit  of  compromise  and  accommodation  was  introduc* 
ed,  wliich  terminated  in  our  present  glorious  compact. 
A  second  revolution,  which  secured  to  us  the  benefits 
of  the  first. 

By  this  event  Great  Britain  lost,  for  a  time,  the  oppor- 
tunity of  tampering  with  the  individual  states,  of  foment- 
ing jealousies,  and  governing  by  division.  Her  poller 
was  changed  $  it  became  a  favourite  idea,  that  our  growtn 
should  be  repressed,  and  so  many  impediments  tlirown 
in  our  way,  as  to  convince  us,  that  we  had  gained  no- 
thing in  becoming  free.  We  soon  experienced  the  effects 
of  her  disappointment.  Contrary  to  express  stipulation, 
she  refused  to  surrender  the  western  posts,  and,  at  the 
same  time,  secretly  instigated  the  savages  to  murder  the 
frontier  settlers.  Spain  was,  at  this  very  moment,  prac- 
ticing her  intrigues  to  draw  off  the  western  states  from 
Ihe  confederacy,  of  which  there  is  little  doubt  England 
would  soon  have  availed  herself. 

But  we  also  came  in  contact  with  Britain  on  the  ocean  f 
our  commerce  began  to  flourish,  and  on  the  breaking  out 
of  the  French  war,  she  found  in  us  formidable  rivals.  In 
order  to  put  a  stop  to  this  competition,  she  called  into 
life  £he  odious,  and  almost  absolet^  rule  of  '56,  which  is 


MlMtt 


mt» 


INTJlOftUCTtbN. 


IX 


in  palpable  violation  of  the  I^      of  nations.    The  spirit 
of  this  rule  is  to  prevent  the  iieutral  from  enjoyuig  any 
eommerce)  which  would  not,  at  the  same  time,  be  open  to 
the  belligerent ;  in  other  words,  to  permit  no  neutral.  In 
practice  it  was  carried  to  the  full  extent.    The  orders  in 
council  of  the  8th  of  January,  1793,  became  the  source 
of  a  thousand  vexations  to  American  commerce ;  and  yet 
was  in  a  manner  tolerable,  compared  to  those  of  the  sixth 
of  November,  which  were  secretly  circulated  among  the 
British  cruisers,  authorising  them  to  capture,  ^  all  ves- 
sels laden  with  the  produce  of  .any  of  the  colonies  of 
France,  or  carrying  provisions  or  supplies  to  the  said  co- 
lony "    The  greater  part  of  our  commerce  was  at  once 
swept  from  the  ocean.     No  diversity  of  opinion,  among 
our  merchants,  prevullet]  on  this  occasion.*   They  ex- 
pressed themselves  in  the  strongest  terms,  against  this 
treacherous  and  wicked  procedure.    The  war  of  the  re- 
volution had  not  been  forgotten,  that  with  the  savages 
still  raged  ;  it  was  not  by  such  acts,  we  could  be  induc- 
ed to  entertain  a  friendly  feeling   towards   England. 
There  prevailed  a  universal  clamour  for  war,  among  the 
merchants  particularly,  and  which  required  all  the  firm- 
ness of  Washington  to  withstand.     This  great  man  had 
marked  out  to  himself  the  wise  polic;^,  of  keeping  alo<tf 
from  European  politicks,  and  of  avoiding  all  entangle- 
ments in  their  wars.     Mr.  Jay  was  despatched  as  a  spe- 
cial messenger,  with  orders  to  remonstrate  in  a  manly- 
tone.    This  mission  terminated  in  the  celebrated  treaty 
of  1794,  and  which  was  sanctioned  by  the  nation,  although 
not  without  great  reluctance.    It  ajltpeared  in  the  sequel, 
that  we  had  only  shoved  aside  a  war,  4n  order  to  recom- 
mence disputes  concerning  the  same  causes. 

The  British  did  little  more  than  modify  their  orders  in 
council,  by  those  issued  in  1795  and  '98.  In  fact,  down 
to  the  peace  of  Amiens,  the  same  vexations  and  abuses 
furnished  a  constant  theme  of  remonstrance.  Neither 
General  Washington,  n«r  Mr.  Adams,  was  able  to  ar- 
range our  difterences  with  England,  or  induce  her  to 
consult  her  own  true  interests,  Xy  a  just  and  liberal  poli- 
cy towards  us.    From  this  we  may  ifairiy  infer,  that  no 


•1  .■•I 


*    .iri'  ' 


M 


Xll 


INTRODUCTION. 


k. 


i 


administration  of  our  government,  could  have  succeed- 
ed in  accommodating  our  differences  upon  just  and  equi- 
table principles. 

Another  cause  of  complaint,  proceeded  pari  pam  with 
the  violations  of  our  commercial  and  maritime  rights, 
and  of  a  nature  still  more  vexatious.  It  is  one  upon 
which  American  feeline  has  always  been  much  alive.  G. 
Britain  is  the  only  modern  nation,  who  does  not  consi- 
der the  flag  as  protecting  every  person  who  sails  under 
it ;  and  we  are  the  only  people  who  have,  during  peace, 
been  draped  from  our  ships  on  the  high  seas,  by  christian 
nations,  and  condemned  to  servitude.  This  intolerable 
outrage  grew  up  from  a  small  beginning,  by  imprudent 
acquiescence  on  our  part;  perhaps  not  conceiving  it 
possible,  that  it  could  ever -assume  its  present  hideous 
mint.  At  first,  it  was  a  claim  to  search  our  merchant  ves- 
sels for  deserters  from  the  publick  service  of  Britain ; 
next,  it  became  a  right  to  impress  English  seamen,  who 
had  engaged  themselves  in  American  snips ;  finally,  eve- 
ry person  who  could  not  prove  on  the  spot,  to  the  satis- 
faction of  the  lieutenant  who  came  on  board,  that  he  was 
an  American,  was  carried  away  into  a  most  hateful  bon- 
dage. England  had  gone  far,  in  asserting  the  right  to 
search  a  neutral  vessel,  for  enemy's  goods,  (almough 
this  exception  to  the  general  rule,  that  a  ship  on  the  high 
seas  is  as  inviolable  as  the  territory  of  the  nation  at 
peace,  had  been  opposed  by  every  power  in  Europe,  ex- 
cepting the  one'Vrhich  wqfe  i^kistress. of  the  seas;  a  strong 
proof,  that  it  was  not  a  right^ut  an  abuse);  but  this  claim 
o(  searching  for  men,  ismns!m)pnrted  by  any  writer  on 
the  publick  law,  or  by  one  good  reason.  She  had  no 
more  right  to  claim  her  subjects  from  our  ships,  than  from 
our  territory.  Whatever  right  she  might  have,  to  pre- 
vent them  trom  quitting  the  country,  at  times  when  their 
services  were  required,  or  of  punishing  for  doing  so,  she 
had  no  right  to  pursue  into  our  country,  or  demand  tliem 
from  us,  unless  warranted  by  express  treaty.  But  what 
she  had  no  right  to  demand,  she  had  a  right  to  talce  by 
force  1  When  closely  pressed,  she  deigned  at  last  to 
give  some  reasons  in  support  of  her  practice— she  must 


HHP 


mmmm 


INTRODUCTIOIf. 


XUL 


have  men  to  manher  thousand  ships — she  was  contend- 
[ing  for  her  existence— we  had  no  right  to  employ  hersea- 
fmen-^our  flag  had  no  regard  to  her  interests-— our  em- 
[pluyment  of  foreign  seamen  was  not  regulated— our  suf- 
[fermgs  were  the  consequences  of  our  own  imprudence'— 
[These  are  the  only  arguments,  that  can  be  used  in  sup- 
port  of  such  a  practice.  If  England  says  she  musi  have 
men,  we  answer  that  we  must  have  men  also.  We  also 
[are  contending  for  our  existence,  but  do  not  think  our- 
selves justifiable  on  that  account,  to  rob  our  nei^bours, 
or  make  them  slaves.  She  says  that  we  had  no  right  em- 
[ploy  her  seamen — we  can  answer,  that  she  had  no  right  to 
employ  ours.  We  were  no  more  bound  to  consult  her  in- 
'terest,  than  she  considers  herself  bound  to  consult  ours. 
The  fact  is,  that  no  nation  in  the  world  employs  a  great- 
er number  of  foreign  seamen  than  Great-Britain,  in  her 
immense  commerce,  and  in  her  immense  navy ;  and  she 
has  a  right  to  employ  them,  not  because  she  is  contending 
for  her  existence,  or  fighting  the  battles  of  the  world,  but 
because  the  thing  is  lawful  m  itself.  So  far  from  restrict- 
ling  herself,  or  regulaiing  the  practice,  or  consulting  the 
inter asts  of  others,  she  consults  only  her  own  interests, 
and  holds  (t>ut  inticements  to  foreign  seamen,  which  no 
other  nation  does.  Here,  then,  is  a  simple  question  ;  how 
comes  that  to  be  unlawful  in  x\merica,  which  is  lawful  in 
Hi! tain  ?  Would  not  Great-Britain  protect  an  American 
seaman,  who  has  been  made  an  Englishman  by  being  two 
years  in  her  service  ?  But  are  we  to  blame  because  "her 
seamen  prefer  our  service?  There  is,  in  fact, nothing  in 
the  American  practice  to  justify  reprisals.  The  empioy- 
inent  of  English  seamen,  who  voluntarilv  tender  their  ser- 
vices, is  lawful,  however  disagreeable  it  may  be  to  En"-- 
land.  How  far  a  friendly  feeling  towards  that  country, 
raav  induce  us  to  consult  her  convenience  and  interests, 
or  how  far  our  oWn  weakness,  or  interest,  nyiy  require  us 
to  wave  our  rights,  is  another  matter. 

This  is  placing  the  subject  in  the  least  reprehensible 
view,  as  respects  England.  Bol  when  we  come  to  exa- 
mine the  manner,  in  which  this  pretended  right  was  ex- 
ercised by  her,  it  cannot  be  doubted  for  a  moment,  that 

2 


wfi^r' 


I^^IIL     IH      lllllllllifl) 


( 


XIV 


INTRODUCTION. 


the  whole  was  a  were  pretext  to  vex  our  commerce,  and 
recruit  for  her  navy,  from  American  ships.  This  is^  evi- 
«!enl,  from  the  uniform  practice  of  impressing  men  of  all 
nations,  found  in  them,  Spaniards,  Portuguese,  Danes, 
Russians,  Flollanders,  and  even  Negroes.  It  was,  in  fac% 
an  insult  to  every  nation  in  the  civilized  world.  Tros 
'  Tyriusqm  nulloy  was  the  motto,  although  not  exactlv  in 
the  proper  sense.  The  British  practice  amounted  to 
suhjecting  the  crew  of  every  American  veissel,  to  be 
drawn  up  before  a  lieutenant  of  the  navv,  that  he  might 
bhoose  out  such  as  suited  his  purpose.  The  good  sailor 
Was  uniformly  an  Englishman,  and  the  lubber  an  Ame- 
rican. It  has  been  said,  that  the  number  of  impressed 
Americans  has  been  exaggerated ;  was  there  no  exagge- 
ration, as  to  the  number  of  Englishmen  in  American  ser- 
vice ?  Is  it  then  of  more  importance,  that  Great-Bri- 
tain should  pi  vent  a  few  of  her  seamen  from  escaping 
into  a  foreign  service,  than  it  is  to  us,  that  free  Ameri- 
cans should  be  doomed  to  the  worst  of  slavery  ? 

England  has  never  known  the  full  extent  of  the  sensa- 
tions produced  in  America,  by  the  practice  of  impress- 
ment. The  influence  of  pai  ty  spirit  has  contributed  to 
deceive  her.  The  great  body  of  Americans  have  always 
felt  this  outrage  to  their  persons,  with  the  keenest  indig- 
nation ;  noAnieiican  administration  would  ever  express 
a  different  sentiment.  Let  her  look  to  the  Roman  histo- 
ry, to  see  what  effect  is  produced  in  a  nation  of  freemen, 
by  the  ill  usage  of  one  of  its  citizens  !  She  is  not  aware, 
that  an  humble  American  citizen  is  a  persimage  of  more 
importance,  than  an  obscure  British  subject  can  be.  She 
is  much  mistaken,  if  she  supposes,  that  the  outcry  against 
her  conduct  was  a  mere  party  trick  :  it  was  deeply  felt, 
as  an  egregious  insult.  She  did  not  know  that  the  Ame- 
rican seamen  weie,  in  general,  of  a  different  class  from 
her  own  ;  more  decently  brought  up,  of  better  families 
and  morals,  and  many  of  them  looking  forward,  after  the 
expiration  of  their  appre^iceships,  to  be  mates  and  cap- 
tains of  vessels  j  or  rather  she  knew  it  well,  and  there- 
fore gave  them  her  baleful  preference-  But  mark  the  re- 
tiibution  which  follows  the  steps  of  injustice.    When 


-■*-nfl(iiSriirTrii 


INTRODUCTION. 


XV 


jommerce,  and 

This  is  evi- 

sing  men  of  all 

uguese,  Danes, 

It  was,  in  fac% 

world.     Tros 

not  exactly  in 

i  amounted  to 

vessel,  to  be 

that  he  might 

he  good  sailor 

ibber  an  Ame- 

of  impressed 

ire  no  exagge- 

American  ser- 

hat  Great-Bri- 

from  escaping 

at  free  Ameri- 

very  ? 

it  of  the  sensa- 
ce  of  impress- 
contributed  to 
ms  have  always 
3  keenest  indig- 
ild  ever  express 
e  Roman  histo- 
Jon  of  freemen, 
le  is  not  aware, 
jonage  of  more 
ctcan  be.  She 
5  outcry  against 
'as  deeply  felt, 
I'  that  the  Ame- 
rent  class  from 
better  families 
ward,  after  the 
mates  and  cap- 
ell,  and  there- 
at mark  the  re- 
lustice.    When 


my  of  these  men  were  so  fortunate  as  to  escape  from  se- 
iven,  or  ten  years  servitude,  on  board  a  British  man  of 

/ar,  tiiey  breathed  nothing  but  revenge,  and  imparted 
[the  same  feeling  to  all  their  countrymen.  It  was  pre- 
[dicted,  that  these  men  who  had  ivrongs  of  their  own, 
would  be  found,  in  case  of  war  with  England,  no  common 
foes.  War  came,  and  Britain  may  read  in  our  naval 
combats,  a  commentary  on  her  practice  of  impressment, 
and  her  tyranny  on  the  ocean. 

As  early  as  the  year  1793,  it  was  declared  by  tlie  Ame- 
rican minister  at  London,  that  the  practice  of  impress- 
ment had  produced  great  irritation  in  America,  and  that 
it  was  difllKJult  to  avoid  making  reprisals  on  tiie  British 
seamen  in  the  United  States.  It  is  perhaps  to  be  regret- 
ted, that  general  Washington's  threat  was  not  carried 
into  execution,  as  it  might  havQ  brought  the  affair  to  is- 
sue at  once.  The  practice  had  ^rown  so  vexatious  after 
the  treaty  of  1794,  that  the  British  government  was  told 
in  plain  terms,  that  unless  a  remedy  was  applied,  war 
would  be  inevitable.  It  was  said  to  be  of  such  a  nature, 
as  no  American  could  bear,  <^  that  they  mi^lit  as  well  rob 
the  American  vessels  of  their  goods,  as  to  drag  the  Ame- 
rican seamen  from  their  ships,  in  the  manner  practised 
by  them."  Certainly  the  oflfence  would  have  been  as 
much  less,  as  a  bale  of  goods  is  of  less  value  than  a  man. 
It  was  stated,  that  as  many  as  two  hundred  and  seventy 
Americans  were  then  actually  in  the  British  service,  the 
greater  part  of  whom  persistea  in  refusing  pay  and  bounty. 
They  were  told,  that  if  they  had  any  regard  tor  the  frienil- 
ship  of  this  country,  they  would  facilitate  the  means  of 
relieving  those  of  our  oppressed  fellow-citizens.  That 
the  excuse  alleged  by  Great-Britain,  in  not  being  able  to 
distinguish  between  her  subjects,  and  the  citizens  9f  Ame- 
rica, was  without  foundation,  inasmuch  as  fureignei*8  who 
could  not  be  mistaken,  were  equally  liable  to  iinpress- 
Uient.  The  honour  of  the  nation,  it  was  said,  was  deep- 
ly concerned,  and  unless  the  practice  should  be  discon- 
tinued, it  must  ultimately  lead  to  open  rupture.  This 
was  the  language  uniformly  held  forth,  by  every  succes- 
sive administrfttion  of  the  American  government.  It  was 


**M>QOni» 


5V1 


INTRODUCTION. 


V- 


the  theme  of  reprobation,  and  remonstrance,  oF  every 
distinguished  statesman  of  this  country.  On  this  sub* 
ject  we  find  Washington,  Adams,  Jefierson,  Madison, 
Monroe,  Marshall,  Jay,  Pickering,  King,'an(i.  many 
others,  in  their  official  correspondence,  fully  and  uni- 
formly concurrin?.  In  fact,  these  complaints  continu- 
ed until  the  last  hour,  in  consequence  of  our  impolitick 
•submission. 

This  shocking  outrage  was  at  length  carried  to  sudr 
*»xtent,  that  voyages  were  often  broken  up,  and  the  safe- 
ty of  vessels  endangered,  by  not  leaving  a  sufficient 
number  of  mariners  on  board  to  navigate  them.  It  was 
calculated,  that  at  \csisi  seven  thousand  •SmericanS  were 
at  one  time  in  the  British  service,  against  their  wilh 
Even  as  repeets  her  own  subjects,  the  practice  of  im- 
pressment is  one  of  the  most  cruel  and  unjust;  in  direct 
contradiction  to  the  general  freedom  of  her  constitution, 
and  only  covered  by  the  m;^st  miserable  sophistry ;  but  to 
America,  who  would  not  «:'adure  a  single  one  of  her 
citizens,  to  be  impressed  into  her  own  service,  it  is  not 
surprising  tliat  it  should  appear  detestable.  The  tribute 
of  Minos,  or  of  Montezuma,  of  the  youth  doomed  as  a 
sacrifice  to  infernal  idols,  was  not  more  hateful.  The 
American  was  compelled  to  stoop  to  the  humiliation  of 
carrying  about  him»  on  tlie  high  seas,  the  certificate  of 
his  nativity ;  and  this  was  soon  found  unavailing,  it  was 
torn  to  pieces  by  the  tyrant,  and  its  fragments  scattered 
to  the  winds.  She  boldly  asserted  the  right  of  dragging 
from  underneath  our  flag,  every  one  who  could  not  prove 
v7i  the  spot,  that  he  wan  not  a  British  subject.  Every  fo- 
reigner, no  matter  of  what  country,  was,  in  consequence, 
excluded  from  our  merchant  service.  On  the  part  of  the 
United  fcitates,  every  possible  eftbrt  was  made  to  compro- 
mise the  matter,  but  in  vain.  No  otter  was  ever  made 
by  Great-Britain,  which  presented  any  pi'ospect  of  put- 
ting an  end  to  these  abuses,  while  the  most  Fair  and  ra- 
tional on  our  part,  were  nMec ted.  About  the  year  180{>, 
a  proposal  was  made  rbr  the  mutual  exchange  of  deser- 
ters, but  tiiis  was  rejected  by  Mr.  Adams,  for  tlie  same 
reason  tliat  tlie  President  rejected  th©  treaty  of  1806,  be- 


-  -"  t^--' •^'1% 


>r*MaM 


Hliiil|t»ii|^il«',if"'.ii»i 


INTRODUCTION. 


xvii 


cause  it  was  thoudit  better  to  have  no  provision,  than  one 
which  did  not  sufficiently  provide  against  the  abuses  of 
impressment.  Eagland  offered  to  make  it  penal,  for  any 
of  lier  naval  officers  to  impress  our  seamen,  provided  we 
discontinued  our  practice  of  naturalizing  her  subjects. 
The  mockery  of  such  a  propriition,  aloce  fully  proves 
her  fixed  mii\d.  No  plan  could  be  devised  so  suitable  to 
her  wishes,  as  that  of  subjecting  the  liberty,  life,  and 
-happiness,  of  an  American  citizen,  to  the  caprice  of  eve- 
ry petty  lieutenant  of  her  navy:  otherwise,  she  would 
have  been  contented,  with  the  exclusion  of  her  subjects 
from  all  American  vessels,  a  thing  which  she  had  no  right 
to  ask,  but  which  we  were  willing  to  grant  for  the  sake 
.  of  peace. 

The  climax  of  this  extraordinary  humiliation,  and 
which,  a  century  hence,  will  scarcely  be  credited,  was 
still  wanting;  the  attack  on  the  Chesapeake  occurred, 
,  and,  for  the  moment,  convulsed  the  nation.  The  burst  of 
indignation  which  followed,  was  even  more  violent  than 
that  which  was  produced  by  the  orders  in  council  of  1793. 
Party  animosity  was  suspended,  meetings  were  assem- 
bled in  every  village,  tlie  newspapers  were  filled  with 
formal  addresses,  volunteer  companies  were  evei*y  where 
set  oh  foot,  and,  in  tlie  first  phrensy  of  the  moment,  the 
universal  cry  was  for  iinmediate  war.  Although  hostili- 
ties were  not  declared,  the  feelings  of  America  were 
from  that  day  at  war  with  England ;  a  greater  attention 
was  paid  to  the  discipline  of  our  militia,  and  the  forma- 
tion of  volunteer  corps  $  and  the  government  was  conti- 
nually making  appropriations  for  our  national  defence. 
We  still  resorted  to  uegociation,  and  the  aggressors, 
thinking  that  we  might  now  possibly  be  in  earnest,  were 
willing  to  avoid  war  by  a  sacrifice  uf  pride.  They  yield- 
ed to  the  humiliation  of  surrendering  the  American  citi- 
zens, upon  the  very  deck  from  which  they  had  been  forc- 
ed ;  but,  at  the  same  time,  rewarded  vhe  officer,  by  whom 
the  violence  had  been  otfered.'  In  excusing  her  conduct, 
England  condescended  to  tell  us,  with  a  serious  face, 
that  h/i  never  pretended  to  the  right  of  impressing  Jinuri' 
tail  GUixen$9  and  this*  she  seemed  to  consider,  rather  as 

2* 


"-"-■y  w 


"I  II  liiHIIIui 


xviii 


INTRODUCTION. 


a  masnaniinous  acknovi'ledgment.  Humiliating  indeed^ 
to  be  seriously  told,  that  she  did  not  regard  our  citizens  a» 
her  property  I  Nothing  can  furnish  stronger  proof  of  tho 
extent  of  the  abuse,  and  the  bad  policy  of  our  pacifick 
€(iu;8c  of  reiiioTristrance.  Our  sacred  cmty  to  our  fellow- 
citizens,  as  weH  as  a  regard  to  our  national  character^ 
forbade  such  an  acquiescence. 

From  this  review  of  the  subject  of  impressiiicut,  we  re- 
turn to  the  other  priitcipal  branch  of  our  natianal  differ- 
cnc&^.^    It  must  be  evident  to  the  reader,  that  nothing 
was  to  be  expected  from  any  temporary  arrangement  on. 
the  part  of  our  enemy  :  that  nothing  si'  ort  of  a  chance  in 
her  general  policy  and  ttmper,  would  suffice,  and  nothing 
but  a  war  couiil  effect  this  change.     Whatever  disputes 
M'e  may  have  had  with  other  natiims,  they  were  of  little 
moment,  compared  to  our  differences  with  England.  To 
settle  the  terms  on  which  we  were  to  be  with  her,  was  of 
the  first  importance ;  our  mutual  intercourse  and  trade,  was 
of  vast  extent;  she  occupied  the  high  way  to  other  nations, 
which  she  could  interrupt,  when  she  pleased ;  it  was  of 
little  consequence  on  what  terms  we  were  with  othera,  as 
long  a&our  relations  witli  England  were  not  properly 
adjusted.    Our  intercourse  with  France  was  compara- 
tively of  but  little  moment;  she  had  not  recovered  from 
the  phrensies  of  her  revcdution ;  her  deportment  was  ctn- 
ce*"  tiiek,  lawless,  and  unstable ;  she  was  a  comet,  three- 
tening  all  nations.     Our  true  wisdom  wa^  to  keep  out  of 
iier  way.     On  the  ocean  she  was  but  little  to  be  dreaded, 
and  was  in  no  condition  to  execute  her  threats.  But  not- 
withstanding the  power  of  England  t     sweep  our  com- 
merce from  the  ocean,  and  to  seel  our  norts,  we  still  ex- 
pected something  from  her  good  sense,  her  justice,  or  her 
interest*     Yet  scai  cely  was  the  flame  of  war  once  more 
lighted  up  on  tlie  continent*  than  both   the  belligeretits 
began,  under  various  pretexts,  to  prey  upon  our  com- 
merce.   On  the  part  ot  England,  the  rule  of '56  was  re-^ 
vived,  and  applied  in  a  manner  more  intolerable  than 
ever.    The  sufferings  of  the  American  merchants  were 
such,  as  to  cause  them  to  call  loudly  on  the  government 
for  protection,  and  a  \Yar  with  Eugl&n^}  at  i)m  time,  wae 


INTRODUCTION. 


la 


by  many  thought  inevitable.  It  appeared  to  be  her  fixed 
determmationt  that  neutrals  shoula  enjoy  no  trade  with- 
out her  d|iecial  license  and  permission.  By  some  it  was 
thought,  that  if  we  should  enter  into  her  views,  and  de- 
dare  war  against  France,  she  would  anticably  arrange 
the  points  in  dispute  between  us.  This,  however,  was 
very  doubtful ;  it  would  only  have  encouraged  her  to 
make  still  further  claims.  Such  a  thing  was,  besides, 
impossible.  The  American  people,  still  smarting  under 
so  many  wrongs  unredressed,  could  not  be  induced  to  do 
what  would  almost  amount  to  a  return  to  subjection. 

In  May  1806,  Britii*  i  commenced  her  system  of  paper 
blockade,  by  interdicting  all  intercourse  with  a  great  part 
of  Fr:ince  and  her  dependencies.  This  operated  exclusively 
on  the  U.  States,  who  were  the  only  remaining  neutrals. 
The  decrees  of  the  French  emperour  of  the  6th  of  Novem- 
ber followed,  and  were  immediately  made  known  to  our 
minister  at  London,  with  a  threat,  that  if  they  were  put 
into  execution  (although  the  British  minister  well  knew, 
that  it  could  be  nothing  more  than  a  bravado)  Mnular 
measures  would  be  adopted.  But  without  waiting  the 
result,  in  fact  before  the  lapse  of  a  fortnight,  the  British 
government  issued  the  orders  in  council,  of  the  7th  Ja- 
nuary 1806,  which  went  tne  full  length  of  declaring,  that 
no  vessel  should  be  at  liberty  to  trade  from  one  port  of 
France  to  another,  or  from  a  port  under  her  control^ 
and  from  which  ttie  English  were  excluded.  Napoleon's 
Milan  decrees  succeeded,  which  were  little  more  than 
nominal  to  the  neutral  who  did  not  place  hiniseif  in  liis 
power ;  they  aftected  us,  not  England.  AYe  were  tive 
only  sufferers  in  this  system  of  retaliation,  which  was,  ia 
fact,  a  shameful  disregard  to  neutral  rights  on  the  part  of 
both.  England  was  apparently  benefitted,  inasmuch  as 
it  struck  a  blow  at  our  commerce,  and  rendered  it  impos- 
sible for  us  to  spread  a  sail  without  her  permission.  Tlie 
belligerents  presented  the  spectacle  of  two  highwaymen, 
robbing  a  passenger  and  then  quarrelling  for  the  spoils  n 
and  yet  this  was  called  retaliatioal 


XX 


INTRODUCTION. 


Thp  United  States  sincerely  wished  to  be  at  peace. 
Each  of  the  belligerents  accused  us  of  partiality;  and 
wherein  was  that  partiality  ?  Simply  in  this ;  France  de- 
clared that  we  suffered  the  robbenes  of  England  with 
more  patience,  than  h  ^  and  England,  that  she  alone 

had  a  right  to  plundek  ik.  i  Each  seemed  to  consider  it  us 
a  previous  conaition  of  rendering  us  justice,  that  we  shoold 
compel  her  adversary  to  respect  our  rights.  In  this  sin- 
gular situation,  it  appeared  the  wisest  course  to  withdraw 
entirely  from  the  ocean.  Experience  soon  taught  us  that 
our  emoareo  system  could  not  be  carried  into  effect,  for 
reasons  which  it  is  unnecessary  to  repeat.  The  restric- 
tive system  was  substituted  $  we  placed  it  in  the  power  of 
either  of  the  wrong  doers,  to  make  us  the  open  enemy  of 
.the  other,  unless  that  other  renounced  his  practices.  Na- 
poleon ^as  the  first  to  announce,  **  a  sense  of  returning 
Justice  ^  our  guvernnient,  the  suffering  party,  declared 
itself  satisfied.  England  had  shown  no  such  sense  of  re- 
tuming  justice,  on  this  occasion ;  she  had  promised  to  re- 
peal her  orders,  provided  the  French  decrees  were  rescin- 
ded, but  refused  to  take,  the  official  declaration  of  the 
French  minister,  although  we  had,  in  a  similar  case,  be- 
fore accepted  her  own,  and  positively  refused  to  repeal 
the  orders  in  council,  in  default  of  evidence  that  the 
French  were  disposed  to  treat  ns  well.  I  do  not  think  it  ne- 
cessary to  enter  into  a  discussion  of  the  question  of  par- 
tialUy  to  France  or  England,  or  Spain  or  Algiers,  al- 
though I  cannot  but  regard,  as  exceedingly  strange,  that 
any  one  of  these  powers,  should  insist  upon  it  as  a  preli- 
minary step  to  accommodation,  that  we  should  puuisn  the 
agressions  of  any  other  nation.  The  meaning  of  both 
was  obvious  enough  ;  it  was  that  we  should  tajce  part  in 
the  affairs  of  Europe.  England  supposed  that  we  could 
do  her  service,  and  Napoleon  thought  we  couXd  injure 
England. 

In  the  meantime,  the  loss  of  American  property  by  the 
depredations  of  the  belligerents,  had  been  immense.  The 
vexations  practised  by  the  British  cruisers  off  our  coast^ 
who  made  it  a  point  to  harass  the  issuing  and  returuinff 
commerce  of  iUb  United  States,  and  which  the  people  i^ 


«  « 


'MWl' 


INTRODUCTION. 


Xii 


England  were  notable  to  estimate,  kept  the  publick  mind 
ccntinually  inflamed.  Our  citizens  were  distracted  amid 
these  surrounding  difficulties.  It  was  agreed  that  we  had 
ample  cause  of  hostility  against  both  belligerents,  but  the 
administration  was  accused  of  undue  leaning  towards 
France,  and  a  disposition  not  sufficiently  conciliatory  to- 
wards England.  The  friends  of  the  administration  de- 
dared,  that  the  eftbrts  to  obtain  redress  from  England, 
were  weakened  by  a  powerful  British  influence,  which  had 
grown  up  of  late  years,  in  the  Eastern  States,  and  in 
tlie  commercial  cities. 

While  tlie  publick  mind  was  in  this  state  of  fcrmenti 
from  our  disputes  with  England  and  France,  our  frontiers 
were  threatened  with  an  Indian  war,  which,  as  usual,  was 
attributed  to  the  instigations  of  the  former.  The  United 
States  have  frequently  been  charged  with  cruel  violence 
and  injustice  to  the  Indians.  That  we  have  encroached 
upon  their  hunting  grounds,  cannot  be  denied,  but  this 
was  the  necessary  conseauence  of  the  increase  in  our 
population ;  but  the  great  difference  between  us  and  other 
nations,  in  relation  to  the  Indian  lands,  is,  that  instead  of 
taking  them  without  evei*  acknowledging  the^right  of  the 
Indians,  we  have  endeavoured  to  obtain  them  by  fair 
purchase.  The  United  States  were  the  first  to  respect 
the  Indian  territorial  right,  as  they  were  the  first  to  abo- 
lish the  slave  trade,  and  domestick  slavery  ;  for,  as  a  na- 
tion, we  have  forbidden  it. 

There  existed  a  celebrated  Indian  warriour,  who  had 
been  always  remarkable  for  his  enmity  to  the  whites,  and 
who,  like  POntiac,  had  formed  the  design  of  uniting  ail 
the  different  tribes,  in  order  to  oppose  an  effectual  barrier 
to  the  further  extension  of  the  settlements.  Tecumsch 
was  a  formidable  enemy ;  he  resorted  to  every  artifice  to 
stir  up  dre  minds  of  the  Indians  against  us.  Of  an  ac- 
tive and  restless  character,  1  e  visited  the  most  distant 
nations,  and  endeavoured  to  rouse  them  b]^  his  powerful 
eloquence.  He  also  assailed  the  superstitious  minds  of 
his  countrymen,  by  means  of  his  brother,  a  kind  of  con- 
jurer, called  the  *♦  Prophet."  He  had  received  assuran- 
ces from  the  British;  oi  such  assistance  as  would  enablQ 


'.  imif 


Xtii 


INTRODUCTION. 


r 


t 


r 


him  to  ctrrj  his  plans  into  execution.  In  the  year  1811, 
a  council  was  held  by  governour  Harrison,  of  Indiana,  at 
Vitacennes,  and  at  whicii  Tecumseh  attended,  to  remon- 
strate  against  a  purchase  lately  made  from  the  Kickapoos 
and  some  otlier  tribes.  In  a  strain  of  wonderful  elo- 
quence, the  orator  inveighed  against  the  encroachments 
of  the  Americans,  gave  a  faithful  history  of  the  progress 
of  the  settlements,  from  the  first  commencement  on  the 
Delaware,  to  the  moment  at  which  he  spotce.  When  an- 
swered by  Harrison,  he  grasped  his  tomahawk,  in  a  fit 
of  phrensy,  and  boldly  charged  the  American  governour 
Vf'iui  having  uttered  what  was  faise;  the  warriours  who 
attended  him,  twenty  or  thirty  in  number,  followed  his 
eiample ;  but  Harrison  had  fortunately  posted  a  guard  of 
soldiers  near,  who  put  a  stop  to  their  fuiy.  The  council 
was,  however,  broke  up,  and  nothing  short  of  war  was 
expected  to  result. 

Towards  the  close  of  the  vear,  the  frontier  settlers 
had  become  seriously  alarmed ;  every  thing  on  the  part 
of  the  Indians  appeared  to  indicate  approaching  hosti- 
lities. Governour  Harrison  resolved  to  move  towards 
the  Prophet^s  town,  with  a  body  of  Kentucky  and  Indiana 
RiiHtia,  and  the  4th  United  States'  regiment,  under  colo- 
nel P  ''yd,  to  demand  satisfaction  of  the  Indians,  and  to 
put  a  stop  to  their  hostile  diesigns.  In  the  month  of  No- 
vember, having  approached  within  a  few  miles  of  the 
Prophet's  town,  the  principal  chiefs  came  out  with  ofiers 
of  peace  and  submission,  and  requested  the  governour  to 
encamp  for  the  night,  as  it  was  tnen  too  late  to  enter  on 
business.  It  was  not  long  before  this  was  discovered  to 
be  a  treacherous  artifice.  At  four  o'clock  in  the  morning, 
the  camp  was  furiously  assailed,  and  after  a  bloody  and 
doubtful  contest,  the  Indians  were  finally  repulsed,  with 
the  loss  of  one  hundred  and  eighty  killed  an(||w'ouhded, 
on  our  part,  and  a  still  greater  number  on  theirs.  Colo- 
nel Davies,  one  of  the  most  distinguished  lawyers  in 
the  United  States;  colonel  White,  of  the  Saline,  and  a 
number  of  other  valuable  ofiicera,  fell  on  this  occasion. 
Ilarrison,  after  thiSj  destroyed  the  Prophet's  town,  and 


« 


■  ■y^aiBi  III  iiMmnili^ 


iir '1111111 


'■'■'  "I  I'll''*" 


I'^-iiiirfgMii  itoii    iiiiiilliii 


r 


INTRODUCTION. 


ti 


W 


the  year  1811, 
)  of  Indiana,  at 
(led,  to  remon- 
the  Kickapoos 
wonderful  elo- 
encroachinents 
of  the  progress 
icement  oa  the 
Ice.    When  an- 
ihawk,  in  4  fit 
rican  governour 
warriours  who 
er,  followed  hU 
9Sted  a  guard  of 
r.    The  council 
lOrt  of  war  was 

frontier  settlers 
ling  on  the  part 
proacliing  hosti- 
I  move  towards 
cky  and  Indiana 
;nt,  under  colo- 
Indians,  and  to 
c  month  of  No- 
w  miles  of  the 
I  out  with  ofiers 
le  governour  to 
ate  to  enter  on 
is  discovered  to 
|in  the  morning, 
r  a  bloody  and 
[repulsed,  witli 
anc|pv'ouhded, 
theirs.     Colo- 
led  lawyers  in 
Saline,  and  a 
this  occasion. 
jt*8  town,  mi 


having  established  forts,  returned  to  Vincennes  j   but 
peace  was  by  no  means  restored. 

The  battle  of  Tippecanoe  (the  name  of  the  branch  of 
the  Wabash  on  which  it  was  fonglit)  seemed  to  inflame 
the  temper  of  the  country,  already  calling  for  war.  A 
naval  incident  which  occurred  some  time  afterwards^  did 
not  serve  to  allay  it  Oft* the  American  coast,  commiKJore 
Rodgers,  during  the  night,  fell  in  with  a  British  frisate, 
which  afterwards  proved  to  be  the  Little  Belt;  being  hail- 
ed by  the  commodore,  the  commander  merely  rcyseated 
the  question,  and,  after  some  minutes,  actually  firj|  seve- 
ral  of  his  guns.  On  this,  the  commodore  poured  a  broad* 
side  into  her,  and  compelled  her  commander  to  beg  for 
mercy.  This  was  the  first  check  the  British  commanders 
had  received  from  us  on  the  ocean. 

The  conduct  of  Great-Britain,  which  grew  every  day- 
more  insupportable,  can  only  be  accounted  for,  by  her  be- 
lief that  we  could  not  (to  use  the  contemptuous  expres- 
sions of  the  day)  be  kicked  into  a  war.  The  experiment 
of  war,  on  the  part  of  the  Cnited  States,  was  an  awful 
one  ;  any  administration  might  be  justly  apprehensive  of 
venturing  upon  an  experiment,  the  consequences  of  which 
no  one  could  foresee.  This  forbearance  was  construed 
into  pusillanimity ;  and  the  name  and  character  of  the 
United  States,  had  sunk  low,  in  consequence,  with  every 
nation  of  Europe.  We  had  become  the  butt  and  jest  of 
Napoleon  and  the  English  ministry,  and  who  yet  vainlj 
essayed  to  draw  us  into  a  participation  in  tlieir  wars.  A 
war  with  Napoleon  could  not  have  been  more  than  nomi- 
nal, unless  we  united  in  a  close  alliance  with  England; 
without  this,  we  could  inflict  on  him  nothing  more  than  a 
simple  non-intercourse.  But  a  war  with  England  would 
be  a  very  diflferent  matter  j  without  forming  any  alliance 
with  Napoldin,  ve  might  asMai!  her  commerce,  her  pub- 
lick  ships,  and  her  adjoining  provinces. 

But  Great-Brivain  was  contending  for  her  existence, 
she  was  fighting  the  battles  tf  the  civilized  world,  it  was 
therefore  cruel  and  ungenerous  to  f>reti  our  demandji  at 
such  a  moment.  This  was  by  no  means  evidetU.  If  it 
had  been  true,  why  did  she  continue,  at  such  a  time,  to 


..drtti 


isW 


iNTIlODUCTIOK. 


,v- 


lAsuIt  and  abuse  us  in  every  possible  shape  ?  Notwith- 
standing thitf  appeal,  there  were  many  amongst  us  who 
could  only  see  a  contest  between  two  gveat  nations  for 
the  mastery  of  the  world.  We  saw  the  stupendous 
schemes  of  British  asgrandisement,  in  every  part  of  the 
globe,  which  had  little  the  appearance  of  fishting  for  her 
existence.  We  saw  her  already  mistress  of  the  seas ;  we 
regarded  any  actual  invasion  ot  her  shores,  as  a  thing  too 
visionary,  even  for  Napoleon ;  we  saw,  in  the  lawless  and 
unbounded  projects  of  this  despot,  at  which  England  af- 
fected to  be  alarmed,  her  best  security,  as  they  kept  alive 
the  fears  and  jealousies  of  the  surrounding  nations,  and 
continually  undermined  his  throne.  We  have  seen  how 
inconsiderable  w^re,  in  reality,  all  his  conquests.  The 
existence  of  England  was  never  in  danger^  Napoleon 
could  never  have  subdued  Spain  and  Russia ;  two  pro- 
jects, which  all  now  admit  to  have  been  the  extreme  of 
folly«  England  was  not  fighting  the  battles  of  the  world, 
but  of  her  Ambition ;  she  was  not  the  bulwark  of  our  reli- 
gion) but  the  instigator  of  the  savages  $  she  was  not  the 
world's  last  hope— that  last  hope  is  America;  not  as  the 
pretended  champion  in  tiie  cause  of  other  nations,  but  as 
a  livirjg  argument  that  tyranny  is  not  necessary  to  the 
safety  of  man  $  that  to  be  degraded  and  debased,  is  not 
the  w&y  to  be  great,  prosperous,  and  happy. 


$ 


n 


M 


m^ 


irfiMi 


HISTORY  OF  THE  LATE  WAK. 


CHAPTER  I. 

feclaration  of  War^General  Hull  reaches  Detroit'^ 
Crosses  into  Canada-^Skirmishes  on  the  River  auuc 
Canards — Battle  of  Brownstoum-^Taking  of  MichiU 
limackinac— ^Taking  of  Chicago^Battle  of  Magagua 

, — The  surrender  of  IIulL 

^N  interesting  period  in  the  history  of  this  youthful  na- 
lon  was  fast  approaching.    Our  anairs  with  Great  Bri- 
iin  had  become  every  day  more  and  more  embarrassed* 
^he  storm  already  lowered,  and  there  was  little  hope 
lat  the  gathering  clouds,  would  pass  harmless  over  us.  la 
bonsequence  of  this  state  of  things,    the  session  of  the 
twelfth  congress  had  been  protracted  to  an  unusual  length, 
ind  the  eyes  of  America  were  turned  towards  it,  in  anx- 
ious expectation.    On  the  fifth  of  June,  the  President 
laid  beforie  Congress  the  correspondence  between  our 
secretary  of  state,  and  the  British  minister  near  our  go- 
i^ernment,  which  seemed  to  preclude  all  hope  of  coming 
to  an  adjustment,  in  the  two  principal  points  in  dispute, 
the  orders  in  council,  and  the  subject  of  impressment, 
lut,  we  had  so  often  been  on  the  point  of  a  rupture  with 
vreat  Britain,  that  no  certain  conjecture  could  be  form- 
led  by  tlie  most  intelligent,  of  the  probable  result.     The 
ipubUck  voice  called  loudly  for  war,  at  least  this  was  the 
rtense  of  a  great  majority  of  the  nation.    At  length,  e|| 
Ithe  eighteenth  of  June,  after  sitting  with  dosed  doore^^ 
I  the  solemn  and  important  appeal  to  arms  wii^^i9||ii|iunced. 
JTlie  President  had  communicated  his  message,  Ih^^^ch 
all  our  complaints  against  Great  Britain  were  enfuHlt- 
ed  with  great  force,  and  an  opinion  expressed  thaifP^re" 
medy,  no  hope  uow  remained,  but  in  open  war.  The  com^ 

5 


36    • 


HISTORV  OF  THE  WAR. 


SsuT"r^tefflr„rf„%r -^^ --ere. 

Dlan^nfil^^*'®  of  mere  interAsf         •  "^''^  "'^''s,  iva- 
e™    »!'  ''Ve'''''^'-    ■""  «'■"  -a  b  lard  'a7r-it  of  Z 

fro...  bet:'  jivr'it"'  "'•■■«''  it  torcjd  "■'  ^*f • 

fventful  experiment  ^T  ''^.  as  a  most  interS.    *""? 

of  h-man  mve„ti„"„;f  "^h'  '"P^ot, « the  ...blesrEt 

»     ensue.    A  powerful  pulj 


>\ 


i." 


HISTORY  OF  THE  WAR. 


2? 


is  opposed  to  the  measure,  on  the  ground,  that  an  ac- 

i>nitnodation  with  England  might  yet  be  made,  t!\at  wat 

iuld  not  be  otherwise  than  in  subserviency  to  the  views  of 

ranee,  and  that  we  were  unprepared  for  so  serious  a  con- 

Bt.    The  opposition  of  a  great  portion  of  the  population^ 

the  talents,  and  wealth  of  the  country,  would  certainly 

bd  to  throw  embarrassments  on  its  prosecution.  Unani- 

Ity,  in  so  important  a  measure,  was  not  to  be  expected  5 

■  the  disadvantages  of  this  opposition  would  be  greatly 

.    It  was  foreseen  that  our  Atlantick  cities  would  be 

ijich  exposed,   that  the  coasts  of  the  southern  states 

lid  be  laid  open  to  the  incursions  of  maraudihg  parties^ 

that  the  western  frontier  would  feel  all  the  horrours 

savage  and  murderous  warfare.    Many  persons,  on 

other  hand,  entertained  the  belief,  that  the  Canada^ 

lid  fall,  and  that  the  Floridas,  in  case  that  Spain  should 

)rought  into  the  contest  on  the  side  of  England,  .wouldi 

)urs.  Thus  should  we  be  freed  from  troublesome  neigh- 

irs,  and  end  forever,  that  dreadful  species  of  hostility 

^hich  we  had  been  so  often  engaged  with  the  savages. 

ise  hopes  were  not  ill  founded ;  but  we  were  not  aware. 

he  time,  of  our  deficiency  in  experience,  and  want  of 

ill  knowledge  of  our  resources  $  the  causes  of  many 

b(f|uent  calamities; 

For  some  years  previous  to  the  declaration  of  war,  a 

litary  spirit  was  gradually  diffusing  itself  amongst  the 

[)ple.     Pains  were  taken  in    disciplining   volunteer 

hpanies  throughout  the  country,  a  degree  of  pride  and 

>utation  was  every  where  felt,  to  excel  in  military  ex- 

".ises.    There  seemed  to  be  a  kind  of  instinct,  to  pre- 

re  for  the  approach  of  war.    But  the  military  establish- 

jnts  were  exceedingly  defective.    Acts  of  Congress 

1  already  authorised  the  enlistment  of  twenty -five  thou- 

id  men,  but  it  was  found  impossible  to  fill  the  ranks  of  a 

^ulararmy,  from  the  small  number  of  individuals  who 

5re  not  in  easy  circumstances,  and  therefore  under  no 

icessity  of  enlisting.  The  whole  number  already  enlisted, 

freely  amounted  to  five  thousand  men,  and  these  scatter- 

ttover  an  immense  surface  of  country.    The  President 

las  authorised  to  receive  fifty  thousand  volunteers,  and  to 


1 


HISTORY  OF  THE  WAR. 


fall  out  one  hundred  thousand  militia.  This  force,  could 
not  be  expected  to  be  otherwise  serviceable)  than  for  the 
purpose  of  defending  the  sea  coast,  or  the  frontier.  A  dif. 
ficultj  of  still  greater  importance  existed;  the  best  troops^ 
in  the  world,  are  inefficient,  unless  they  happen  to  be  led 
ly  able  and  experienced  officers.  Ouf  ablest  revolution- 
ary  heroes  had  paid  the  debt  of  nature,  and  those  who  re- 
mained, were  either  far  advanced  in  life,  or  had  not  been 
proved  in  other  than  subordinate  situations ;  and  besides 
n-om  long  repose,  they  had  laid  aside  all  their  military 
habits.  There  prevailed,  however,  a  disposition  to  place 
a  degree  of  reliance  on  the  skill  of  the  revolutionary  sol- 
.dier,  from  the  mere  circumstance  of  having  been  such, 
which  was  not  corrected'  until  we  had  been  severely 
taught  by  after  experience.  Such  was  the  situation  of 
things,  at  the  commencement  of  hostilities. 

It  was  expected  that  the  first  blow  would  be  struck  at 
Canada,  it  was  well  known,  that  at  this  time,  military 
preparations  in  that  province,,  were  in  no  greater  state  of 
forwardness  than  on  the  part  of  the  United  States. 

Governour  Hull,  at  the  head  of  about  two  thousand  men, 
was  on  his  march  to  ^Detroit,  with  a  view  of  putting  an 
end  to  the  Indian  hostilities,  when  he  received  informa- 
tion of  the  declaration  of  war.  His  force  consisted  of 
about  one  thousand  regulars,  and  twelve  hundred  volun- 
teers from  the  state  of  Ohio,  who  had  rendezvoused  on  the 
twenty-ninth  of  April.  In  the  beginning  of  June  they 
advanced  to  Urbanna,  where  they  were  joined  by  the  4th 
regiment  of  United  States  infantry,  and  immediately 
commenced  their  march  through  the  wilderness,  still  in 
possession  of  the  Indians,  and  which  separates  the  inha- 
bited part  of  the  state  of  Ohio,  from  the  Michigan  terri- 
tory. From  the  town  of  Urb&nna  to  the  Rapids,  a  dis- 
tance of  one  hundred  and  twenty  miles,  they  had  to  pass 
through  a  country  without  roads,  and  abo'inding  with 
marshes.  From  the  Rapids  to  Detroit,  along  the  Miamie 
of  the  I'^.ke,  and  along  the  Detroit  river,  there  were  a  few 
settlements  chiefly  of  French  Canadians,  but  in  general 
the  territory  was  but  thinly  inhabited  ;  the  whole  of  its 
f mattered  population  scarcely  exceeded  five  or  si^  thou-* 


ind  soiS 

'.a'.-.'^H 

^armyfl 

'^^^1 

nsiderH 

^j9 

most  tfl 

id  romfl 

mi 

U  of  al 

ily  to"! 

ersof  ■ 

■■<M 

>d  actif 

iM 

wev.  col 

% 

ey  loaJ 

l 

der  to  1 

H^nce  J 

^was  ol 

pe  capt 

ihen,  wl 

ley  enc 
ithin  a 

0 

••a 

ad  beei 

■■'.*'. 

lution, 

•m 

leir  alii 

ave  pos 

'I'i'^ 

irown  I 

ndhad 

jiles  be 

,.ii 

Helled  t( 

41 

Ban  arti 

*^ 

J  This 

Bperati( 

f.'J 

■Canada 

V^ 

Hry  pov 

Heterm 

HISTDRV  OF  THE  WAR. 


2sr 


nd  souls.  It  was  near  the  last  of  June  when  this  lit- 
army  reached  the  Rapids,  after  having  experienced 
nsiderable  obstacles,  in  passing  through  a  gloomy,  and 
ost  trackless  wilderness.  They  now  entered  an  open 
d  romantick  country,  and  proceeded  on  their  march^ 
11  of  an  ardent  and  adventurous  spirit,  which  sought 
ly  to  encounter  difficL'lties  and  dangers.  The  volun- 
ers  of  Ohio  consisted  of  some  of  the  most  enterprising 
d  active  young  men  of  the  state ;  finer  materials  were 
vec  collected.  After  taking  some  refreshments  here, 
ey  loaded  a  schooner  with  a  part  of  their  baggage,  in 
"erto  lighten  their  march.  By  some  misfortune,  intel- 
nce  of  the  existing  war  did  not  reach  the  army,  until 
was  on  this  march,  and  was  /bllowed  by  the  news  of 
capture  of  the  schooner,  and  a  lieutenant  and  thirty 
n,  who  had  been  put  on  board.  On  the  fifth  of  Jixly^ 
[ey  encamped  at  Spring  Wells,  opposite  Saiidwich,  and 
ithin  a  few  mileS  of  Detroit.  For  some  c^-js  the  army 
id  been  under  the  necessity  of  proceeding  with  great 
ution,  to  guard  against  surprises  from  the  Indians,  and 
eir  allies,  and  who,  but  for  this  timely  arrival,  would 
ive  possessed  themselves  of  Detroit :  they  however,  had 
rown  up  breast-work!i.on  the  opposite  side  of  the  river, 
id  had  made  an  attempt  to  fortify  a  situation  about  three 
iles  below.  From  both  these  holds,  they  were  soon  com- 
lied  to  retreat,  by  a  well  directed  fire  from  the  Ameri- 
n  artillery. 

This  was  the  favourable  moment  for  commencing  actire 

eratioos  against  Ihe  neighbouring  province  of  Upper 

anada;  «inu  ac  governour  Hull  had  received  discretion- 

y  power  to  act  oftensively,  an  immediate  invasion  wa» 

termined  on.    Preparations  for  this  purpose  were  di- 

ctly  made,  and  boats  provided  to  effect  the  passage  of 

e  vyhole  army  at  the  same  instant.     The  British,  awar© 

this  design,  attempted  to  throw  up  a  battery,  for  the 

iurpose  of  opposing  the  landing  j  this  was  twice  rendered 

}ortive  J  on  their  attempting  it  a  third  time,  they  were 

jiermitted  to  accomplish  it  unmolested,  as  our  army  could 

jither  land  above  ..r  below  it,  and  thus  keep  out  of  the 

reueh  of  thwr  guas,  which  consisted  of  seven  small  can- 

.8» 


'-»■ 


■  >  "Hum  tMmmifmm*fmmmi>if 


mmmmfmmm 


SO 


HISTORY  OF  THE  WAR. 


non,  and  two  mortars.— On  the  twelfth,  every  thing  bein^ 
made  ready,  the  army  embarked,  and  landed  without 
molestation,  some  distance  above  the  fort,  and  entered 
the  village  of  Sandwich  The  inhabitants  made  no  shew 
of  resistEince,  and  were  therefore  respected  in  their  per- 
sons and  property  ;  the  principal  part,  however,  had  been 
marched  to  Maiden,  for  the  purpose  of  aiding  in  ita  de- 
fence. A  proclamation  was  immediately  issued  by  Hull, 
in  which  he  declared  his  intention  of  invading  Canada, 
but  gave  every  assurance  of  protection  to  the  inhabitants, 
ivhom  he  advised  to  take  no  part  in  the  contest.  The  pro- 
clamation was  written  in  a  spirited  and  energetick  style, 
and  had  he  been  eventually  successful,  there  is  no  doubt 
but  that  it  would  have  been  regarded  as  an  eloquent  pro- 
duction. It  has  been  censured  by  the  British  as  intend- 
ed to  seduce  her  subjects  from  iheir  allegiance,  as  if  this 
were  not  justifiable  m  an  invading  army ;  and  as  violating 
the  laws  of  civilized  warfare,  in  the  declaration  that  no 
quarter  would  be  given  to  any  whiteman,  found  fighting 
W  the  side  of  an  Indian.  When  we  consider,  that  Indians 
IB^ve  no  quarter,  there  may  be  as  much  justice  in  retalia- 
ting,  upon  those  who  are  %hting  by  their  sides,  as  upon 
the  savages  themselves,  for  it  may  be  presumed  that  both 
are  actuated  bv  the  same  intentions.  It  is  not  to  be  sup- 
posed that  Hull  was  seriously  resolved  on  carrying  tliis 
threat  into  execution  ;  his  object  was  to  prevent,  if  possi- 
ble, the  employment  of  savages.  It  was  altogether  a 
Su^estion  of  his  own,  unauthorised  by  the  government, 
ana  never  acted  upon  by  himself. 

Id  a  few  days,  possession  was  taken  of  the  whole  couht 
try  alon^  the  Trench,  or  Thames,  a  beciutiful.  river^ 
tirnoae  borders  are  well  settled.  This  service  was  per- 
foimed  by  Cul.  M' Arthur,  of.  the  Ohio  militia,  who  re- 
turned to  camp^  after'  having  collected  a  considerable 
quantity  of  blankets,  ammunition,  and  other  military 
•stores.  Col.  Cass  was  then  despatched  in  an  opposite 
direction,  towards  Fort  Maiden,  with  two  hundred  and 
eighty  men,  for  the  purpose  of  reconnoitring  the  British 
and  Indians.  This  place  is  situated  at  the  junction  of 
JUetroit  river  with  lake  Eriej    tliirtcen  miles  south,  of 


# 


HMiMIMWMM 


R. 

verj  thing  beini^ 
Jjnded  without 
*^>  and  entered 
8  made  no  shew 
ted  in  their  per- 
vever,  had  been 
?»ng  in  it&de. 
issued  by  Hull, 
Jding  Canada, 
he  inhabitants, 
est.     The  pro- 
lergetick  style. 
5re  IS  no  doubt 
eloquent  pro- 
»sh  as  intend- 
™ce,  as  if  this 
nd  as  violating 
:ation  that  no 
ound  fighting 
>  that  Indians 
;ice  in  retalia- 
'des,  as  upon 
ined  that  both 
lot  to  be  sup- 
carrying  this 
ent,  if  possi:. 
altogether  a 
government, 

whale  coun* 
itiful,  river, 
ce  was  per- 
t'a,  who  re- 
Jonsiderable 
er  military 
m  opposite 
undred  and 
•he  British 
lUJotiott  of 
«  south,  of 


HISTORY  OF  THE  WXH. 


0,1. 


ill's  camp*    col.   Cass,  following  the  course  of  the. 
sam,  reached  thi;  river  Aux  i'anards,  about  four  miles 
[m  Maiden,  where  he  found  a  British  detachment  in. 
•session  of  the  bridge.    After  reconnoitnng  the  situa- 
In  of  the  enemjr,  the  colonel  placed  a  rifle  company  un- 
[r  capt.  Robinson,  near  the  place,  with  orders,  to  divert. 
e  attention  of  the  guard,  by  keeping  up  a  fire  until  the 
mainderof  the  party  should  appear  on  the  opposite  side., 
lis  part  of  the  detachment,  was  to  have  foraed  the  river 
Dut  five  miles  below.    The  design  was  frustrated,  by 
iir  want  of  a  sufficient  knowledge  of  the  country ;  the. 
^tachment  was  unable  to  reach  the  designated  spot,  un- 
late  in  the  evening;  in  the  meanwhile,  the  attempt  to 
)rise  the  post  had  been  discovered,  and  it  was  strength- 
$d  by  considerable  reinforcements ;  notwithstanding 
iich,  a.  smact  skirmish  ensued,   and  the  enemy  was 
impelled  tp  abandon  his  position,  after  losing,  eleven, 
llled  and,  wounded,   besides  several  deserters.     Col. 
^ass,  having  no  orders  to  retain  possession  of  it,  although, 
constituting  the  principal  obstruction  between  the  A  me- 
lean  camp  and  Maiden,  thought  proper,  to  retire.     The. 
lioor  of  this  bridge  was  afterwards  taken  up,   and  a 
reast-work  erected  on    the  bank   to  obstruct  the  pa^  > 
bge  of  the  river.    There  occured,  a  few  days  afterwai'ds,- 
mother  skirmish  at  the  same  place*  between  the  guard 
md  one  hundred  and  fifty  men  under  coL.M'Acthur* 
^he  Q^eeaChariptte  was  discovered  at  the.  mouth  of  the 
LUX  Canards,  with  dome  gun-boat)|Ldisposed  around  her, 
[while  the  passage  was  defended  b^.  about  eighty-five  Te- 
[gulars,  a  body  of  militia  nearly  twice  that  number,  and 
Isome  Indiana.    The  colonel  having  advanced  somewhat 
too  near  the  enemv,  while  reconnoitring  their  situation^ 
narrowly  escappd, being  cut  off  from,  his  men...  A  mes-: 
sengjer  informed  him,. that  several  Indians  had  been  seen 
passing  to  his  rear,  and  it  was  at  the  same  time  discover- 
ed, that  those  who  had  been  stationed  at  tiie  battery,  were 
rapidly  quitting  it.    He  had  scarcely  time  to  turn  his 
horse,    when  he,   together  with,  his   companions.    Dr. 
M*Anaw,  and  capt.   Puthuff,  were  fired  upon  by  a  par« 
ty  of  Indians,  concealed  in  the  bushes.    Th«  detacft* 


32 


HISTORY  OF  THE  WAR. 


ment,  on  the  report  of  the  guns,  advanced  to  the  succour 
of  their  leader,  and  drove  the  Indians  back.  The  In- 
dian party  is  said  to  have  been  commanded  by  the  daring 
chief  Tecumseh. 

These  skirmishes,  in  which  the  Americans  were  sene- 
rally  victorious,  served  to  inspire  confidence,  and,  to- 
gether with  the  proclamation,  had  an  effect  upon  the  Ca- 
nadians, many  of  whom  joined  our  standard,  and  thtew 
themselves  on  Hull  for  protection.  These  were,  how- 
ever, but  preludes  to  the  great  object  in  view,  the  re- 
duction of  Fort  Maiden ;  nothing  could  be  said  to  be  done, 
until  this  was  accomplished.  Preparations  for  this  pur- 
pose proceeded  but  slowly;  no  artillery  was  prepared  for 
the  occasion;  it  seems  that  everything  was  tooe  made 
ready  after  the  invasion.  It  was  not  until  the  beginning 
of  August,  thatiwo  twenty -four  pounders  and  three  how- 
itzers were  mounted,  and  no  attempt  in  the  meanwhile 
had  been  made  upon  the  Fort  The  capture  of  this  place, 
which  would  have  been  necessary  in  the  prosecution  of 
any  further  design,  had  now  became  absolutely  essential 
to  self-preeervatiun.  A  most  unexpected  disaster  had 
happened  during  the  last  month ;  an  eventf  to  which 
many  of  our  subsequent  misfortunes  is  to  be  attributed. 
This  was  the  surrender  of  Michillimackinac*. 

On  the  sixteenth  of  July,  a  party  of  three  hundred  white 
troops,  and  upwards  of  six  hundred  Indians,  embarked  at 
St.  Josephs,  and  reached  the  island  next  morning.  A 
wisoner  was  despatcf^d  to  inform  the  garrison,  and  the 
inhabitants  of  the  village,  that  if  any  resistance  were  made 
they  would  all  be  indiscriminately  put  to  deaths  Many 
of  the  inhabitants  escaped  to  the  enemv  for  protection. 
The  sarrison  consisted  of  no  more  than  fifty -six  men,  un- 
der tne  command  of  lieutenant  Hanks,  of  the  artillery^ 
A  flag  was  now  sent  by  the  British,  to  the  fort,  demanding 
ft  surrender.  This  was  the  first  intimation  of  the  decla- 
ration of  war,  which  the  garrison  had  received-  Until  thid 
moment,  the  American  commandant  had  considered  this 
fts  one  of  the  outrages  on  the  part  of  the  Indians,  which 
of  late  had  been  frequent;  he  had  therefore  resolved  to 
defend  himself  to  the  last  extremity,    lie  now  consider^ 


MiiaMalb.**!. 


■MM. 


«9bi^i«MMiiaiMiiB 


m0^*' 


HISTORY  OF  THE  WAR. 


^9 


r»  it  most  prudent  to  agree  to  a  capitulation,  as  there  was 
ID  hope  of  being  able  to  defend  himself  successfully, 
gainst  so  great  a  disparity  of  force,  and  therefore  the  at- 
-jmpt  would  only  be  compromittin^  the  livesof  the  soldiers, 
Jnd  such  of  the  inhabitants  of  the  island  as  had  fled  to  him 
for  protection.    The  garrison  was  accordingly  delivered 
lip  5  security  to  the  property  and  persons  of  individuals 
*as  stipulated,  and  the  British  put  in  possession  of  one  of 
[he  strongest  positions  in  the  United  States,  on  that  ac- 
count, sometimes  called  the  American  Gibraltar.  The  situ- 
ition  completely  commands  the  northwest  trade,  which  is 
compelled  to  pass  immediately  under  the  guns  of  the  fort 
jind  consequently  aflfords  the  best  means  of  intercepting;, 
the  Indian  supplies,  and  of  checking  the  incursions  of  those 
restless  warriours.  The  blame  of  this  affair  hasbeen  thrown 
iy  some  upon  the  government,  by  others  on  Hull ;  the 
following  facts  will  enable  the  reader  to  judge.     Hull 
reached  Detroit  on  the  fifth  of  July,  and  the  fall  of  Mi- 
chilliinackinac,  took  place  on  the  seventeentli.    The  dis- 
tance is  too  hundred  and  forty  miles.     That  the  British 
It  Maiden,  should  have  had  sooner  intelligence  of  the 
declaration  of  war,  than  the  American  general,  is  less 
Surprising  when  we  consider  the  wonderful  activity  of 
^ose  engaged  in  the  Indian  trade,  as  well  as  the  circum- 
Jptances  of  the  regular  establishments,  all  along  the  lakes. 
i|Kotwithstanding  this,  it  is  not  easy  to  account  for  the  tar- 
Idiness  with  which  the  news  of  war  travelled  to  Detroit, 
Iwhether  it  be  attributable  to  accident  or  neglect. 
1     Intelligence  ofthis  unfortunate  occurrence  reached  Hull 
[on  the  23d  of  July,  while  engaged  in  making  preparations 
Ifor  the  attack  on  Maiden.  The  British,  by  this  time,  were 
Iconsiderably  reinforced,  and  aided  bv  an  additional  num- 
iber  of  Indians.    The  golden  momem     %d  been  suffered 
|to  pass,  it  is  generally  conceded,  that  if  *.  .i  assult  had  been 
pmade  on  the  fort,  in  the  first  instance,  it  must  have  fallen. 
This  was  the  opinion  of  the  officers,  the  general  however, 
declined  it  under  various  pretexts.  But  naving  neglected 
this  opportunity,  there  was  no  longer  any  hope  of  carry- 
ing the  place  withaut  being  provided  with  a  train  of  artille« 
ry,  and  the  necessary  means  fof  a  regular  assault.    The 


34 


HISTORV  OF  THE  WAR. 


presses  to  Procure  Jcifo^oS,?,'  K  ""*  "'P-ated 'i": 

insfanc«rwasgr^„5f,l»?".»''««'l  th,  troops,  i„  the  fi„t 

make  ,t  immediate^  DeseAinn«T'  ^  determination  to 
*«  still  continued,  and  theXlT?  ""^  ^'^^  ^*»«da  n?ili! 
the  prospect  of  undSnAi    T^^  ^vas  animated  w  h 


„  ^uiuinued,  and  the  wlmio  f  "^  Canada  mili- 

the  prospect  of  undSnAi    T^^  ^vas  animated  w  h 

t^^u.sacL.,ap;a:r-^^ 

Sometime  befor«»  fh.-c    « 

river  Rajsin,  with  sijpplies  for flVJ*'^^"*^'"^^^  at  the 
vith?'^*^."^^  ?*«*^^^e  of  &si';2l     ^^  '^'^'  ">^ 'ch 

could  be  sent!  r^'fl  *«  remain  here  unt    «  '"''"^' 
"lu  ue  sent  to  guard  them      tMo  j^      """i  an  escort 

fmr  Vanhorn,\ith  a  deUchmln/?*-^  ^"^«  ^""^^ed  to 
fi%  men.  On  his  second  ?]«?* ''^""^  '^"^dred  and 
town,hewassudddenirit?w'  "^^^^  «ear  Brov^s. 
r«§uiarsand  Indian's^ Cm  fe'Lc"  ^'^'^^^bS 

-     force  made  a  deter- 


fmmmmw 


ttittmmiiiimami 


HISTORY  OF  THE  WAk 


3i 


lined  resistance,  and  being  commanded  b^  a  brave  and 
kilful  officer,  was  at  length  brought  off,  with  the  loss  of 
ineteen  killed  and  missing,  and  nine  wounded.  Cap- 
u'ns  Gilcrease,  M'Culloch,  and  Bortler  were  killed,  and 
iptain  Ulry  severely  wounded. 

Scarcely  had  this  detachment  left  the  camp  at  Sand* 

[ich,  when  a  sudden  and  unlooked  for  change  took  place 

1  the  determination  of  the  commander  in  chief.  Without 

ly  apparent  cause,  or  the  occurrence  of  any  new  event, 

announced  his  intention  of  abandoning  not  only  th^ 

sign  upon  Maiden,  but  even  the  position  which  he  then 

lid.    This  operated  like  a  thunderbolt  upon  the  army  ; 

volunteers  murmured;  they  upbraided  their  com- 

tnder  with  pusillanimity,   and   even  treachery;  and 

^was  with  dimculty  they  could  be  restrafned  by  their 

vn  officers,  in  whom  they  confided^    The  disappoint* 

lent,  and  vexation,  which  ensued,  can  b(^tter  be  ima* 

Ined  than  described ;  all  confidence  in  their  leader  was 

pdently  at  an  end;  if  treacherous,  he  might  deliver 

»m  up  to  be  massacred ;  and  it  was  evident  he  was  de» 

ient  in  the  skill  and  ability  necessary  to  command. 

^was  with  much  reluctance  this  gallant  little  artny  was 

ipelled  to  abandon,  almost  in  disgrace,  the  ffatter- 

hopeS)  which  they  thought  themselves  on  the  point  of 

lizrng.    They  reached  the  opposite  shore  on  the  eighth 

[August,  where  they  received  the  intelligence  ot  the 

lir  of  major  Vanhorn,  of  the  day  before.   Such  was  the 

jrmination  of  this  expedition  into  Canada,  of  whose  suc- 

an  account  was  every  moment  expected  in  the 

lited  States ;  happy  had  it  been  if  the  misfortunes  of 

^  arms  had  terminated  here !    The  enemy's  territory 

not  however,  entirely  evacuated;  a  detachment  of 

it  three  hundred  men,  was  left  to  keep  possession  of 

lidwich,  principally  witii  a  view  of  affording  somfi  pioa 

tion  to  the  Canadians  who  had  been  induced  by  £[ip^ 

klamatioti  to  join  our  standard. 

'>ne  thing  was  now  on  all  hands  considered  indispen* 

^le,  the  opening  the  communication  with  the  river  Rai- 

.     In  a  few  weeks,  the  army  might  stand  in  need  of 

supplies  in  the  possession  of  captain  Brush,  and  at  all 


y 


a 


W'STORY  OP  THE  War. 


«^ent8,  its  situatinn 

•'■  the gaC *^™3',  consisting otL'T' filler, of th. 

'"»»abou[tS"lh^^'''/«  **«  "S  *«'' d'^tinguislfed  i  ! 
".renewal  of  «.  l^™"*  ""''''a-  Tliep„  W'^noe,  and 
Solars  and/nl?"'"^*.  had  sen  reln?™^' ""Wating 

he  increased  durini'^  "•«•"••  'his  force  "fi*'^  'hortof 

™"es  from  thifw  '"""■'''  «f  trees  aJrf,"''  "''^  thrown 
"-hid.  the  greate"^'/'/flace  cjfed  Mi"*"'  *'"'"  C 

^Y  P<"'"afr„ntinhl"[  ""'.^"dian  ,  unS^  ''"'"•nH 
"^^e'e  comitiandprf  K  '^■J'^^oans  should  .  ^«<""nseh, 
.    On  the  ninfh         ''7  "'"J*'-  -Muir   nf  1?  ^Cproach.  The 

ynce,  with  Z  "isual  k"'?^'  ^^o  con,''!"^^  ^^  ««»"- 
T'^'s  corps,  undaunf  I  .^''''"'•^"s  shouTs  „r  1  ^''^  *^- 
Sroundunti  th^nf  •^?'^.*':^  t^»s  suS  ^^  **»«  enemy 

^e  front  of  the  Treast t/t^"^^'^  ^"rious.  "?'  '''^'*"» 

we  utmost  ceJerJf  V  .  *  ^'eav  v  fire  7  i  S?^  «  ''effu. 
«d  a  brisk  firJad^*?^  ^^^'nessf  drew  un  K*  ^'"«^>  ^'rSi 
S»^e  way.  but/hf  r  i-*"^"  ^^'^ai  -.  i      tk  'i,'".*  '"en,  onen 

<h«  occasion,  cannot  he  *""'''""  "f  «"r  co2""*'  *i"« 
hearts  might  have  ft;i   ,  *°?  "•"oh  admirerf     '!■'""«'''  on 

«<»  savages,  p,i„t,j^«  ad  s,des  ^. 


^  >1 


1 1' 


^  ,•' 


"'59S«(»fr«',«5 


mnni 


HISTORY  OF  THE  WAR. 


<» 


kideous  manner,  and  yelling  like  demons ;  engaged  at  the 
ime  time  with  a  body  of  regulars.  Disrejwrding  both 
le  savage  shrieks  ana  the  musketry  of  the  British,  the 
Lmerican  leader  repelled  their  attacks  on  every  side, 
'  troops  gallantly  maintaining  their  ground  until  the 
lemy  was  compelled  to  yield.  They  retired  slowly  to 
Irownstown,  literally  retreating  at  the  point  of  the 
lyonet ;  here  they  hastily  embarked  in  boats,  provid' 
*  for  their  reception.  Had  not  this  precaution  been 
[en,  it  is  probable  the  whole  force  would  have  fallen  in- 
the  hands  of  the  Americans.  Their  loss  was,  of  the  re- 
^lars,  fifteen  killed,  and  thirty  or  forty  wounded,  but 
the  Indians  nearly  one  hundred  were  left  on  the  field, 
this  battle,  which  lasted  about  two  hours,  we  had  fif- 
in  killed^  and  about  sixty  wounded.  The  oflicere  who 
liefly  distinguished  themselves  were  captain  Baker,  lieu- 
Slants  Larabee  and  Peters,  and  ensign  Whistler.  The 
kxt  day  at  noon,  col.  Miller  who  Kept  possession  of 
»wnstown,  received  orders  to  return  to  Detroit.  Thi§ 
rendered  necessary  from  the  fatigue  which  his  com- 
ind  had  experienced  in  the  engagement  of  the  day  be- 
Fe.  It  was  thought  more  advisable,  to  send  a  fresh  de- 
^hment  to  accomplish  the  ultimate  object, 
in  occurrence  took  place  about  this  time  in  another 
jirter,  which  ought  not  to  be  passed  in  silence,  i.aptaia 
aid,  who  commanded  at  fort  Chicago,  had  received  or- 
from  Hull  to  abandon  that  post  and  make  his  way  to 
troit.  He  accordingly  consigned  the  publick  property 
le  care  oi  some  friendly  Indians ;  and  with  his  com- 
ly,  about  fifty  re^lars,  accompanied  by  several  fami- 
\  which  had  resided  near  this  place,  sat  out  on  his 
rch.  He  had  proceeded  but  a  short  distance  along 
I  beach  of  the  lake,  when  he  was  attacked  by  a  large 
ly  of  Indians,  who  occupied  the  bank.  Captain  Heafd 
ended  the  bank,  and  fought  tiieni  for  som«  time,  until 
ly  had  gained  his  rear  and  taken  posse«isioti  of  his  hor* 
I  and  baggage.  He  then  retired  to  an  open  piece  (^ 
putid,  where  he  was  enabled  to  keep  the  Inttians  at  bay. 
It  finding  that  he  would  be  compelled  to  yield  at  last, 
accepted  the  ofior  of  protection  ffom  ai)  XmUan  chi^ 


38 


WSTORy  OF  THE  War. 


essential  aVv:„ul^"f»\a'™?/wa"p":,*iJJ?,'l%^ 
tT'^of  I,:  f^;  ""f".  incoming  U"  Zf'"^  '^'•' 

a'SLf r-'^'"^^^^  Si'rt  "r^  »K  { 

KIde  f '  ^^S^ye'-al  advised  |,?m  th»T  '^""""•'Wo-    In 

DUroose      «..  ^"''ee  hundred  and  fi  f  **'''®  ^^''^ 

ISvpd  .^^"'et.me  before  this     «n     *^  '"^"'  ^«'-  this 
hrfn^^.^*""™  General  Hall     !'      "  ^^P'^ss  had  been 

cunte&t  commences^ 


HISTORY  OF  THE  WAR. 


^ 


fou  will  find  me  disposed  to  enter  into  such  conditions 
b  will  satisfy  the  most  scrupulous  sense  of  honour, 
lieutenant  col.  McDonald  and  major  Glegg  are  fully  au- 
rised  to  enter  into  any  arrangements  that  may  tend  to 
jvent  the  unnecessary  effusion  of  blood/'  This  was 
jned  by  major  general  Brock. 

fTo  this  summons  an  answer  was  returned,  that  the 
H  would  be  defended  to  the  last  extremity.     The  Bri- 
ih  immediately  opened  their  batteries,  and  continued  to 
row  shells  during  a  great  part  of  the  night.     The  fire 
returned,  but  with  Tittle  effect  on  either  side.    In  the 
irnin^,  it  was  discovered  that  the  British  were  land- 
tlieir  troops  at  Spring  Wells,  under  cover  of  their 
pps.     To  prevent  the  landing  from  the    fort,  at  this 
)ment,  was  a  matter  impossible  ;  the  town  lying  be- 
!en  it  and  the  river.    But  if  Hull  had  not  neglected 
advice  of  his  officers,  he  might  have  efiectuaUy  pre- 
ited  it,  by  erecting  batteries  on  the  bank,  where  they 
kuld  be  compelled  to  debark.  A  strange  fatality  seemed 
attend  this  unfortunate  man  in  everv  thing  he  did,  or 
(lected  to  do.    The  enemy  having  fanded,  about  ten 
lock  advanced  towards  the  fort  in  close  column,  and 
five  deep.     The  fort  being  separated  from  the  town, 
Ian  open  space  of  about  two  hundred  yards,  they  could 
Se  within  this  distance,  before  its  guns    could    be 
ight  to  bear  upon  them,  unless  they  should  approach 
he  rear.    The  American  force  was,  however,  judi- 
Isly  disposed  to  prevent  their  advance.    The  militia, 
a  great  part  of  the  volunteers,  occupied  the  town,  or 
e  posted  behind  pickets,  whence  they  could  annoy 
[enemy's  flanks;  the  regulars  defended  (he  fort,  and 
tvventy-four  pounders  charged  with  grape,  were  ad- 
*^ieeously  posted  on  an  eminence,  and  could  sweep 
/hole  of  the  enemy's  line,  should  he  dare  to  approach. 
|was  now  silent  expectation  :  the  daring  foe  stiU  slow- 
Idvanced,  apparently  regardless,  or  unconscious  of 
Ir  danger  ;  for  their  destruction  must  have  been  cer- 
i,  had  they  not  been  impressed  with  contempt  for  a 
^mander,  who  had  so  meanly  abandoned  Sandwich  a 
days  before.    The  hearts  of  our  countrymen  beat 


■^>"m 


■Hill  Jill  mi<i. 


I 


(       \ 


40 


HISTORY  OP  THE  WAR. 


# 


Mgh,  at  the  near  prospect  of  regaining  their  credit*  But 
who  can  describe  i\vt  chagrin  and  mortification  which 
took  possession  of  these  troops,  when  orders  were  issued 
lor  them  to  retire  to  the  fort ;  and  the  artillerj,  at  the  ve- 
ry moment  when  it  was  thought  the  British  were  delibe- 
lately  advancing  to  the  most  certain  destruction,  was  or- 
dered not  to  fire !  The  whole  force,  together  with  a  great 
number  of  women  and  children,  was  gathered  into  the 
Ibrt,  almost  too  narrow  to  contain  them.  Here  the  troops 
were  ordered  to  stack  their  arms,  and  to  the  astonish- 
ment of  every  one,  a  white  flag,  in  token  of  submission, 
was  suspended  from  the  walls.  A  British  officer  rode  up 
to  ascertain  the  cause,  for  this  surrender  was  no  less  un- 
expected to  the  assailants.  A  capitulation  was  agreed 
to,  without  even  stipulating  the  terms.  Words  are  want- 
ing to  express  the  feelings  of  the  Americans  on  this  occa- 
sion ;  they  considered  themselves  basely  betrayed,  is 
thus  surrendering  to  an  inferiour  force  without  firing  a 
gun,  when  they  were  firmly  convinced  that  that  force 
WAS  in  their  power.  They  had  provisions  for  at  least 
^teen  days,  and  were  provided  with  all  the  requisite 
munitions  of  war.  They  were  compelled,  thus  humiliated, 
to  march  out,  and  to  surrender  themselves  prisoners  at 
discretion.  The  British  took  immedia\,».  possession  of 
the  fort,  with  all  the  publick  property  It  contained; 
amongst  which  there  were  forty  barrels  of  powder,  four 
hundred  rounds  of  fixed  twenty-four  pound  shot,  one 
hundied  thousand  ball  cartridges,  two  thousand  five  hun- 
dred stand  of  arms,  twenty -nVe  pieces  of  iron  cannon, 
and  eight  of  brass,  the  greater  number  of  which  had  been 
captured  by  the  Americans  during  the  revolutionary  war. 
The  whole  territory,  and  all  the  forts  and  garrisons  of 
the  United  States,  within  the  district  of  the  general, 
were  also  formally  surrendered  ;  and  the  detachments 
under  colonels  Cass  and  M'Arthur,  as  well  as  the  party 
under  captain  Brush,  were  included  in  the  capitulation. 
Orders  had  been  despatched  the  evening  before,  for  the 
detachment  under  Cass  and  M*Arthur  to  return,  a^nd 
Uiey  had  approached  almost  sufficiently  near  to  disco- 
ver the  movcmentB  of  the  enemy>  while  their  accidtntfU 


i. 


■tfOMaMMMMMiMteMl 


mm 


»r  credit.  But 
tification  which 
era  were  issued 
llerj,  at  the  ve- 
sh  were  delibe- 
ruction,  was  or- 
lier  with  a  great 
thered  into  the 
Here  the  troops 
>  the  astonish- 
1  of  submission, 
I  officer  rode  up 
was  no  less  un- 
on  was  agreed 
^ords  are  want- 
ns  on  this  occa- 
y  betrayed,  is 
irithout  nring;  a 
that  that  force 
ns  for  at  least 
[1  the  requisite 
.hus  humiliated, 
es  prisoners  at 
'•possession  of 

It  contained; 
powder,  four 

nd  sliot,  one 

sand  five  hun- 
iron  cannon, 

f\\\c\\  had  been 

lutiunary  war. 

^d  sarrisons  of 
the  general, 
detachments 

|1  as  the  party 
capitulation. 

sfore,  for  the 
return,  and 

!ar  to  discQ- 

[ir  accid«n^l 


HISTORY  OF  THE  WAR. 


41 


situation,  might  enable  them  to  render  the  most  material 
service  during  the  attack.  They  were  surprised  at  the 
silence  which  prevailed  when  every  moment  was  expect- 
ed to  announce  the  conflict,  and  that  surprise  was  soott 
chan<ved  into  rage,  when  they  learned  the  capitulation. 
A  British  officer  was  then  despatched  to  the  river  Rai- 
sin, to  convey  the  intelligence  to  captain  Brush,  who  at 
first  gave  no  credit  to  so  improbable  a  tale,  and  actually 
put  the  officer  in  confinement.  The  melancholy  story 
|was,  however,  soon  confirmed  by  some  AmericajHS  who 
^itiad  escaped.  Captain  Brush  indignantly  refused  to 
ubmit  to  the  capitulation,  declaring  that  Hull  had  no 
ight  to  include  liim,  and  determined  to  return  to  the 
tatc  of  Ohio.  He  first  deliberated,  whether  he  should 
lestroy  the  publick  stores,  which  he  had  in  his  posses- 
ion, and  which  he  could  not  carry  away ;  but  reflecting 
at  this  might  be  used  as  a  pretext  for  harsh  treatment 
his  countrymen,  he  resolved  to  abandon  them.  The 
reater  part  of  the  volunteers  and  militia,  was  permitted 
return  home  ;  but  the  regulars,  togetlier  with  the  Gencr 
1,  were  taken  to  Quebec.  i 

In  his  official  despatch,  Hull  took  great  pains  to  free 
s  conduct  from  censure.     In  swelling  the  account  of 
e  danD;ers  with  which  he  conceived  himself  beset,  every 
le  run  our  v/hich  had  operated  on  his  fears,  was  placed 
der  contribution,  while  his  imagination  conjured  up  a 
tousand  frightful  phantoms.  He  magnified  the  reinforce- 
[ents  under  colonel  Proctor,  and  gave  implicit  belief  to 
story  that  the  whole  force  of  the  Northwestern  fur 
pany,  under  major  Chambers,  was  approaching;  no- 
ng,  in  fact,  was  forgotten,  which  could  heighten  the 
ture,  or  tend  to  take  the  blame  from  himself.     While 
the  Canada  side,  it  was  impossible  to  eftect  any  thing 
^inst  Maiden,  from  the  difficulty  of  transporting  hi» 
-llery.    Every  thing  is  difficult  to  a  man  who  wants 
necessary  talents.    The  British  garrison  had  bee» 
.  JerfuUy  strengthened^  and  at  this  critical  moment, 
bcal  Hall,  of  Niaj-jura,  ann«unces  that  it  is  not  in  his 
'er  to  assist  him.    What  then  could  be  done  but  to 
s^o-ver  to  Detroit,  that  is,  to  abandon  the  inhabitant  ^ 

4* 


mMttm 


4^ 


HISTORY  OF  THE  WAK. 


m 


of  Canada,  ulio  had  placed  themselves  under  his  proteC' 
tion  5  to  fly,  before  the  enemy  had  even  attempted  to  at- 
tack or  molest  him,  and  thus  encourage  them  in  what  they 
would  never  probably  have  thought  possible  to  accomplish. 
But  what  appears  most  to  figure,  in  this  laboured  vin- 
dication, is  the  frightful  display  of  Indian  auxiliaries  but 
few  of  them,  it  is  true,  were  to  be  seen  and  therefore 
the  greater  room  was  left  to  the  imagination.  According 
to  Hull,  the  whole  "Northern  hive,"  as  he  called  it,  was 
let  loose ;  Winnebagos,  Wyandots,  Hurons,  Chippevvays, 
Knistenoos,  and  Algonquins,  Pottovvatomies,  Sacks,  Kic- 
kapoos,  and  all  the  w  estern  tribes,  were  swarming  in  the 
neighbouring  woods,  and  concealed  behind  every  bush, 
ready  to  rusTi  to  the  indiscriminate  slaughter  of  the  Ame- 
ricans. Lest  all  this  should  be  regarded  as  the  exagger- 
ation of  a  disturbed  intellect,  be  represented  his  situation 
at  the  moment  of  surrender,  as  most  deplorable.  In  con- 
sequence of  the  absence  of  colonels  Cass  and  M*Arthur# 
he  could  not  bring  more  than  six  hundred  men  into  the 
field,  and  he  was,  moreover,  destitute  of  all  necessary  sup- 
plies and  munitions  of  war  :  whereas  by  the  morning's 
report,  his  force  exceeded  a  thousand  men  fit  for  duty,  be- 
sides ihe  detachment  which  might  be  expected  to  arrive, 
about  the  time  of  the  engagement ;  and  also  three  hundred 
Michigan  militia  who  were  out  on  duty,  which  would 
make  his  force  upwards  of  sixteen  hundred  mejii.  This 
force  was  much  supetiour  to  that  of  the  British,  which 
Consisted  of  about  seven  hundred  regulars,  one  half  of 
which  was  nothing  moie  than  militia  dressed  in  uniform, 
for  the  purpose  of  diception,  and  about  six  hundred  In- 
dians. Every  other  part  of  bis  statement  was  proved,  by 
the  oificcrs  under  his  command,  to  have  been  false  or  ex- 
aggerated. The  most  ordinary  exertion  would  have  suf- 
ficed, to  have  completely  destroyed  the  British  force. 
He  declared,  that  he  was  actuated  by  a  desire  to  spare  the 
«ttusion  of  human  blood  !  If  he  had  designedly  intended 
the  destruction  of  his  fellow-citizens,  he  could  not  have 
fallen  upon  a  more  efi'ectiial  plan  ;  for  by  thus  opening  the 
frontier  to  the  tomahawk  ot  the  savage,  and  giving  rea- 
sons to  our  enemy  for  represeuting  us  as  contemptible  IH 


■iNftiPi 


III  I  Mini  I 


HISTORY  OF  THE  WAR. 


45 


arms,  he  invited  those  very  savages,  which  he  so  much 
dreaded,  to  throw  oft*  every  restraint,  and  declare  them- 
selves our  foes.  He  might  have  foreseen,  that  a  consi- 
derable force  would  be  sent  by  the  British,  for  the  pur- 
pose of  retaining  this  province,  and  that  our  country 
would  be  compelled  to  suffer  an  immense  expense  of  blood 
and  treasure,  before  our  possessions  here  could  be  regain- 
ed. Although  this  became  the  field  of  glory,  where  many 
of  our  countrymen  gained  imperishable  renown,  yet  the 
effect  of  this  lamentable  occurrence,  was  visible  in  every 
subsequent  transaction  of  the  war,  on  the  borders  of  Ca- 
nada. 

The  sensations  produced  by  this  occurrence,  through- 
out the  United  States,  and  particularly  in  ti.a  Western 
country,  can  scarcely  be  described.  At  first  no  one  could 
believe  an  event  so  extraordinary  and  unexpected  ;  the 
publick  mind  was  so  entirely  unprepared  for  it,  that  uni- 
versal astonishment  was  excited.  Whatever  doubts 
might  have  been  entertained,  of  his  being  able  to  sub- 
due the  country  which  he  had  invaded,  there  were  none 
of  his  bein^  able  to  defend  himself*  Never  was  any  peo- 
ple more  deeply  and  universally  chagrined  by  this  event, 
m  a  country  too  where  every  man  has  a  personal  feelins 
feeling  for  the  honour  and  welfare  of  the  nation,  and 
where  the  strongest  sympathy  would  be  felt  with  the 
friends  and  families  of  the  brave  soldiers  who  had  been 
thus  wretchedly  surrendered  by  tlieir  commander. 

The  general  was  afterwards  exchanged  for  thirty  Bri* 
tish  prisoners.    Neither  the  government  nor  the  people 
were  satisfied  with  his  excuses.    The  affair  was  solemnly- 
investigated  b^  a  court  martial.  He  was  charged  with  trea- 
[son,  cowardice,  and  unofficer-like  conduct.    On  the  first 
charge,  the  court  declined  giving  an  opinion ;  on  the 
|,two  last  he  was  sentenced  to  death;  but  was  recommend- 
Led  to  mercy  in  consequence  of  his  revolutionary  services, 
ysLud  his  advanced  age.     The  sentence  was  remitted  by 
the  president;  but  his  name  was  ordered  to  be  stfUCK 
[from  the  rolls  of  the  army. 


"Ni^, 


II  III 


44 


HISTORY  OF  THE  WAIU 


« 


i 


CHAPTER  II. 

JVaval  events — Cruise  of  Commodore  Rogers — The  Pre- 
sident chases  the  Belvidera — The  Constitution  Captures 
the  Guerriere — Captain  Porter  captures  the  Mert-^ 
Cruise  of  the  Presit^ent — United  States  captures  the 
Macedonian — The  I'Vasp  capturt^s  the  Frotick — Priva- 
teers— 'Sensations  excited  in  Ensland. 


The  common  observation,  that  evils  do  not  come  alone 
but  with  others  linked  in  their  train,  was  never  more 
completely  refuted,  than  at  the  period  of  the  misfortunes 
of  our  arms  in  the  west.  The  nation  overspread  with 
gloom,  'n  consequence  of  this  unexpected  disaster,  was 
suddeiiiy  consoled  in  the  most  pleasing  manner.  A  new 
and  glorious  f  i  hurst  upon  our  country,  and  upon  the 
world.  The  i.istorian  will  record  with  wonder,  the  sin- 
gular fact,  that  the  saine  year  which  saw  prostrated  the 
despot  of  the  land,  also  l)eheld  the  pride  of  the  tyrant 
of  the  ocean  completely  humbled.  A  series  of  the  most 
brilliant,  and  wonderml  exploits,  on  that  element,  at 
once  raised  our  naval  renown,  to  a  height  which  no  other 
had  ever  attained,  and  which  excited  the  astonishment 
and  admiration  of  Europe. 

At  the  moment  of  the  declaration  of  war,  a  squadron* 
under  commodore  Rogers,  had  rendezvoused  under  the 
orders  of  the  government,  oft'  Sandy  Hook.  The  S(||ua- 
dron  consisted  of  the  frigates  President,  Congress,  United 
States,  and  the  brig  Hornet.  On  the  21st  of  June  they 
put  to  sea,  in  pursuit  of  a  British  s(|uadron,  which  had 
■ailed  as  the  convoy  of  the  West  India  fleet,  the  preced- 
ing month.  While  thus  engaged,  the  Briti:^h  frigate 
Belvidera  was  discovered,  to  wiich  they  instantly  gave 
ehuse.  The  chase  was  continued  from  early  in  the 
morning  until  past  four  in  the  afternoon,  when  the  Pre- 
sident) outsailing  the  otiier  vessels,  had  come  within 


41 


tmmtt 


HISTORY  OP  THE  WAR. 


gun  sho*,   she  opened  a  fire  with  her  how  guns,  intefid- 
ine;   to  cripple  the    Belvidera,  which    returned  it  with 
her  stem  chasers.     The  firing  was  kept  up  for  ten  mi- 
nutes, when  one  of  the  guns  ofthe  President  burst,  killed 
and  wounded  sixteen  men,  and  fractured  the  leg  of  the 
commodore.    By  this  acciilent,  and  the  explosion  of  the 
[passing  box,  the  decks  were  so  much  shattered,  as  to  ren- 
idei*  the  guns  on  that  side  useless.    The  ship  was  then 
[put  about,  and  a  broadside  fired,  but  without  the  desired 
|effect,  though  considerable  injury  was  done  the  Belvi- 
lera.    This  vessel  having  thrown  overboard  every  thing 
le  could  spare,  now  gained  ground.    The  chase  was 

Sontinued  until  eleven  o'clock  at  night,  before  it  was 
eeined  hopeless.  The  squadron  then  continued  in  pur- 
iuit  of  the  convoy,  which  it  did  not  give  over  until  with- 
in sight  of  the  British  channel :  then  stood  for  the  Island 
>f  IV^deria,  and  thence  passing  the  Azores,,  stood  for 
IFewfoundland,  and  thence  by  Cape  Sable,  arrived  at  Bos- 
m  the  SOth  of  August,  having  made  prize  of  several 
Iritish  vessels;  but  owing  to  the  haziness  ofthe  weather, 
ley  were  less  successful  than  miglit  have  been  expected. 
The  frigate  Essex  went  to  sea  from  New-York,  on  the 
lird  of  Tuly  $  the  Constitution  sailed  from  the  Chesa* 
iake  on  the  twelfth  ;  the  brig^  Nautilus,  Viper,  and  Vix- 
»n,  were  at  the  same  time  cruising  off  the  coast  $  the 
loop  of  war  Wasp  was  at  sea  on  her  return  from  France* 
The  Constitution,  captain  Hull,  had  sailed  from  An- 
lapolison  the  5th  of  July.  On  the  morning  of  the  irth, 
>ff  Egg  Harbour,  she  was  chased  by  a  ship  of  the  line,  the 
Africa,  and  the  frigates  Shannon,  Guerriere,  Belvidera» 
und  iBoIus.  These  vessels  were  approaching  rapidly 
^ith  a  fine  breeze,  while  it  was  nearly  a  calm  about  the 
/onstitution.  At  sunrise  the  next  morning,  escape  from  the 
memy  was  almost  hopeless,  as  they  were  then  witfiin  five 
niles.  The  Constitution  was  therefore  cleared  for  ac- 
tion, determined  to  make  a  desperate  resistance.  The 
?nemy  still  drawing  near,  captain  Hull  resolved  to  make 
mother  effort  to  escape.  Boats  were  sent  ahead,  with 
mchors for  thepurpose  of  warping,  tliere  prevailing  al- 
losfja  calm.    The  otiiers  fimling  the  Constitution  (gaining 


46 


HISTORY  OF  THE  WAR. 


if 


^•pon  them,  resorfpri  *     *l 

continued  in  this  manlXZo  ra!^'""";    ^^  '='>«* 
«ght  breezes,  and  mrftJ  .?      •   ""y*'  P*rt'y  ««  Ud"  with 
the  squadron' was  le&rZP;"?'  fV  the"^  SOth"  when 
from  so  great  a  dispTritv  ofc'  "^  ''^^    Th"  "ea^ 
ser'tng  a  high  rank'^in  naval  e^lv**  considered  as  ,fe° 
"'red  at  thi  time,  m  evTnein?.  '"'  .«'«' "as  much  ad- 
fhe  advantage  to  tl  "Bfu  "hTif thK'""'"  "'"'«'=»'  'k'"- 
able,  when  we  reflect  that  thp?r  fJ   "''**'' "»»  consider- 
as,'*«'?«  "t  alt  the  boats  of  the  s„tr"*V'*'»«'  ''»<'  tl>e 
of  towinc.    The  suDerioritr  „f  "l""".™"'  for  the  purpose 

veredtobetheGueSertoTeofi  ?  »»»  »oon  dS^ 
Bmish  navvs  and  which  seemed  nfl*  ''*"  'rs*'^'  i-  the 
Spntre  as  ,|,e  5,^^^^  her  mSn  ^'T™*  ^""^  "'e  ren- 
Constitotion  to  come  down  '?h:T"''  """"«  <"•■•  the 
occurrence  to  our  brave  to"  «.  «'*?'•'  "">»' Wable 
«.«e  been  in  search  of «  Americll.'V'-"^?'*  !'»<'  f""-  »"•' 

She  Sh  ";'"'"*"S«  *•  aHorv^ete?  '•'"'''SS'^''" 
one  had  at  one  of  her  mast  hl-j     V'  the  same  class, 

coTadr*!?^"^''"'  '"Ccharacte^K""  *""=•">" 

gven  that  vlU  %eVr  fc^^^  ^^M'^d 
iooked  into  several  of  our  Zr^  :„  7^f  «»erriere  had 
ceediogl^  anxious  to  earn  Sr.fi'  ??'' "Seated  to  be  n. 
«»emy.    The  Constit^tL  h.;     '"T*''  '"»»  the  new 
no*  bore  down,  Ccre^ ^"217''''  T*"^  foractfonT 
•t  was  the  intention  of  can»E!  ??  n  "^*  «^''«e«'-    At  first 
action  imn.edi.telv  ;  bu?n„  "     ■ "'  '*!  ''"''8  her  to  clo?e 
pve  a  broadside  'a nd  filLd  ?'"'"«  V"""'"  S-n-shot,  sh* 
Broadside  „„  the  ouTer  ta.t  T^'  •' '«"  »'»%  givinst 


IHNmIM 


HISTORY  OF  THE  WAR. 


AT 


And  run  wit4i  her  topsail  and  jib  on  the  quarter.     The 
Constitution  perceiving  this,  made  sail  to  come  up  witli 
her.    Captain  Hull,  with  admirable  coolness,  received 
the  enemy's  fire,  without  returning  it.    The  enemy,  mis- 
taking this  conduct  on  the  part  of  the  American  comm?n- 
der,  for  want  of  skill,  continued  to  pour  out.  his  broad 
,  sides  with  a  view  to  cripple  his  antagonist.    From  the 
[Constitution,  not  a  gun  had  been  fired.    Already  had  an 
)fficer  twice  come  on  deck,  with  information  that  several 
>f  the  men  had  been  killed  at  their  guns.     The  gallant 
brew,  though  burning  with  impatience,  silently  awaited 
lie  orders  of  their  commander.     The  moment  so  long 
loked  for,  at  last  arrived.     Sailing  master  Avlwin,  hav- 
Ig  seconded  the  views  of  the  captain,  with  admirable  skilly 
bringing  the  vessel  exactly  to  the  station    intendedi 
lers  were  given  at  five  minutes  before  five,  P.  M.  to 
re  broadside  after  broadside,  in  quick  succession.     The 
;w  instantly  discovered  the  whole  plan,  and  entered 
^to  it,  with  all  the  spirit  the  circumstance  was  calculated 
inspire.    Never  was  any  firing  so  dreadful.     For  fif- 
»n  minutes  the  vivid  lightning  ofthe  Constitution's  guns 
fntinued  one  blaze,  and  their  thunder  roared  with  scarce 
intermission.    The  enemy's  mizen-mast  had  gone  by 
board,  and  he  stood  exposed  to  a  raking  fire,  whick 
I'eptliis  deck,^.    The   Guerriere  had  now  become   un- 
lageable  $  her  hull,  rigging  and  sails  dreadfully  torn  j 
\en  the  Constitution  attempted  to  lay  her  on  board, 
this  moment  lieutenant  Bush,  in  attempting  to  throw 
marines  on  board,  was  killed  by  a  musket  ball,  and 
enemy  shot  ahead,  but  could  not  be  brought  before 
wind.    A  raking  fire  now  continued  for  fifteen  rain- 
longer,  when   his  mainmast  and  foremast  went, 
bg  with  them  everj  «par,  excepting  the   bowsprit, 
seeing  this,  the  firing  ceased,  and    at  twenty -five 
ites  past  five  she  surrendered.    "  In  thirty  minutes," 
captain  Hull,  "  after  we  got  fairly  along  side  of  the 
Iniy,  she  surrendered,  and  had  not  a  spar  standings 
I  her  hull,  above  and  below  water,  so  shattered,  that  a 
;more  broadsides  must  have  carried  her  down."     1  he 
^rriere  was  so  much  damaged,  as  to  reader  it  impossible 


t 


''^'^T [Hf'Si   '..'i»..""'-'Vi»';'MW  '*"""^"""  '  '"<  y"^ 


48 


HISTORY  OF  THE  WAR 


It 


to  bring  her  in ;  she  was  therefore  set  fire  to  the  next  day, 
and  blown  up.  The  damage  sustained  by  the  Constitu- 
tion, was  comparitivcly  of  so  little  consequence,  that  she 
actually  made  really  tor  action,  when  a  vessel  appeared 
in  sight  the  next  day.  The  loss  on  board  the  Guerriere 
was  fifteen  killed,  and  sixty-three  wounded :  on  the  side 
of  the  Constitution,  seven  killed  and  seven  wounded. 
It  is  pleasing  to  observe,  that  even  the  British  commander, 
on  this  occasion,  bore  testimony  to  the  humanity  and  ge- 
nerosity, with  which  he  was  treated  by  the  victors,  'rhe 
American  frigate  was  somewhat  superiour  in  force,  by  a 
few  guns,  but  this  difference  bore  no  comparison  to  the 
disparity  of  the  conflict.  The  Guerriere  was  thought  to 
be  a  match  for  any  vessel  of  her  class,  and  had  been  ranked 
amongst  the  largest  in  he  British  navy.  The  Constitu- 
tion arrived  at  Boston  on  the  twenty-eighth  of  August^ 
having  captured  several  merchant  vessels. 

Never  aid  any  event  spread  such  universal  joy  over  the 
vvhole  country.  The  pliant  Hull,  and  his  equally  gal- 
lant officers,  were  received  with  enthusiastick  domonstra- 
tions  of  gratitude,  wherever  they  appeared.  He  was 
presentea  with  the  freedom  of  all  the  cities,  through 
which  he  passed,  on  his  way  to  the  scat  of  government, 
and  with  many  valuable  donations.  Congress  voted  fif- 
ty thousand  dollars  to  the  crew,  as  a  recompense  for  the 
loss  of  the  prize  and  the  executive  promoted  several  of 
tiie  officers.  Sailing  master  Alywin,  who  had  been  se- 
verely wounded,  was  promoted  to  the  rank  df  lieute- 
nant, and  lieutenant  Morris,  who  had  been  also 
Wounded,  was  promoted  to  the  rank  of  m)st  captain. 
This  affiur  was  not  less  mortifying  to  Great  Britain,  who 
l^r  thirty  years,  had  in  no  instance  lost  a  frigate  in  any 
thii^  like  an  equal  conflict. 

l^e  publick  mind  was  now  continually  excited  by  some 
new  series  of  naval  exploits.  There  was  scarcely  time 
for  one  victory  to  become  familiar,  before  another  was 
announced.  On  the  7th  of  September,  commodore  Por- 
ter of  the  Essex,  entered  the  Delaware  after  a  most  active 
and  successful  cruise.  He  had  sailed  from  New-York  on 
the  third  of  July,  and  shorlfy  ai'ter  fell  in  with  a  fleet  uf 


i^':-%.,.^,, 


mmm 


^--m^mmmmmmmmm 


i;V'AR 


re  to  the  next  day, 
1  by  the  Constitu- 
isequence,  that  she 
a  vessel  appeared 
oard  the  Guerriere 
tided :  on  the  side 
I  seven  wounded. 
British  commander^ 
e  humanity  and  se- 
f  the  victors,  'fne 
■iour  in  force,  by  a 
comparison  to  the 
Te  was  thought  to 
nd  had  been  ranked 
y.  The  Constitu- 
jT-eighth  of  August., 
sels. 

iversal  joy  over  the 

id  his  equally  gal- 

»astick  domonstra- 

ippeared.    He  was 

he  cities,   through 

eat  of  government, 

Congress^  voted  fif- 

recompense  for  the 

romoted  several  of 

who  had  been  se- 

le  rank  df  lieute- 

had    been    also 

:  of  post  captain. 

ireat  Britain,  who 

ist  a  frigate  in  any 

y  excited  by  some 
vas  scarcely  time 
efore  another  was 
commodore  For- 
fter  a  most  active 
om  New-York  on 
n  with  a  fleet  of 


\  ^dkrti. 


WK*i?^!9^'^**?»^*'^WilWBBI''^" 


I    Jim    .n^nfm^fimm 


•'•*£! 


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■•.H«f-Kf-.*.!«!,^--;,g35.^ 


HISTORY  Of  THB  WAK. 


49 


a  frigate.  Having  kept  at  a  difttance  until  nieht,  she  cut 
oflfabrig,  with  a  hundred  and  fiftj  soldiers  on  Mard,  which 
was  ransomed  for  14,000  dollars ;  the  men  where  disarmed 
and  released,  on  taking  an  oath  aot  to  serve  against  us  dur- 
ing the  war.  The  commodore  regretted,  in  his  letter  to 
the  secretary  of  the  navy,  that  he  nad  not  had  with  him  a 
sloop  of  war,  as  in  this  case  he  could  have  engaged  the  fri- 
gate, while  the  convoy  were  kept  employed,  and  he  could 
tlien  have  captured  the  whole  fleet,  consisting  of  several 
sail,  and  having  two  thousand  men  on  boarc|,  including  the^ 
crew  and  transports.  On  the  13th  of  August,  the  Essex  fell 
in  with  the  Alert  sloop  of  war,  and  captured  her,  afj^er  an 
action  of  eight  minutes :  the  Alert  had  mistaken  this  frigate 
for  the  Hornet,  of  which  she  was  in  pursuit,  and  actually 
commenced  the  engagement,  by  running  down  and  pour- 
ing a  broadside  into  the  Essex.  When  she  struck  her  co- 
lours but  three  men  were  wounded,  but  she  had  seven 
feet  of  water  in  her  hold.  The  fri^te  did  not  suffer  the 
slightest  injury.  Com.  Porter,  being  embarrassed  with 
his  prissoners,'who  exceeded  five  hundred  in  number) 
concluded  to  convei  the  Alert  into  a  cartel,  for  the  pur- 
pose of  effecting  an  exchan^.  Her  guns  were  thrown 
overboard,  and  she  was  ordered  to  proceed  to  St.  John's, 
under  the  command  of  a  lieutenant  of  the  Essex.  The 
British  commander  at  that  place  protested  strongly  against 
the  practice  of  converting  captured  vessels  into  cartels, 
but  in  this  instance  was  witling,  in  consequence  of  the 
attention  iwhich  commodore  Porter  had  uniformly  shewn 
to  British  prisoners,  to  consent  to  the  proposed  ex- 
change. On  the  afternoon  of  the  SOtb  of  August,  a  British 
frigate  was  seen  standing  to\^ards  tiie  Essex ;  preparation 
was  immediately  made  for  action,  and  atood  she  towai^ 
the  enemy.  Night  intervening,  the  Essex  hoisted  liglits  ilb 

{prevent  a  separation,  which  were  answered.  But  at  day- 
ight,  to  the  mortification  of  the  crew,  who  were  anxious 
to  support  the  cause  of  '*  Free  trade  and  sailor^s  rights," 
the  enemy  dii^appeared.  On  the  4th  of  September,  neav 
St.  George's  banks,  two  ships  of  war  were  seen  to  tiie 
fiouthwaiti,  i^d  a  brig  to  me  northwwrd,  to  whidi  tbCi 
■     '  5 


\ 
•f.. 


so 


HISTORY  OF  THE  WAU 


Essex  gave  chase)  but  the  winds  being  light,  she  made  her 
escape.  The  Essex  was  afterwards  chased  by  the  two 
ships  seen  to  the  southward,  but  escaped  in  the  night  by 
skilful  mancBUvering. 

On  the  8th  of  October,  a  squadron,  consisting  of  the 
President,  the  United  States,  Congress,  and  the  Argufi, 
sailed  from  Boston  on  a  cruise.  On  the  ISth,  the  United 
States  and  Argus  parted  from  the  rest  in  a  gale  of  wind. 
A  f^.w  davs  afterwards,  the  President  and  Congress  had 
the  good  ^rtune  to  capture  the  British  packet  Swallow^ 
with  200,000  dollars  on  board,  and  on  the  SOth  of  Decem- 
ber arrived  at  Boston,  after  a  very  successful  cruise. 

The  Argus  was  not  less  fortunate ;  after  parting  from 
the  squadron,  she  cruised  in  every  direction,  between  the 
continent  and  the  West-Indies,  and  after  being  out  nine- 
ty ^six  days,  she  returned  to  New -York,  with  prizes  to 
tr*^  amount  of  two  hundred  thousand  dollars.  She  made 
vi^nous  hairbreadth  escapes  ;  at  one  time  fihe  was  chased 
by  a  British  squadron  for  three  days,  and  8l^veral  times 
almost  surrounded  ;  she  was  one  moment  within  pistol 
shot  of  a  74^,  and  yet,  in  the  midst  of  all  this  peril,  she  ac- 
tually captured  and  manned  one  of  her  prizes. 

Tl^e  tfnited  States,  commanded  by  that  distinguished 
officer  commodore  Decature,  soon  after  her  separation 
from  the  squadron,  had  the  good  fortune  to  add  another 
victor)  to  our  Naval  Chronicle,  not  les:;  glorious  than 
%^t\t  ot  the  Constitution.  On  the  25th  of  October,  oif  the 
Webt^rn  kUnds,8he  fell  in  with  the  Macedonian,  captain 
Card(.t,  a  frigate  of  the  largest  class,  carrying  49  gum 
and  SOC  men.  The  Macedonian,  being,  to  windward,  she 
had  it  in  her  power  to  choose  her  distance,  and  at  no 
time  were  they  nearer  than  musket  shot ;  from  this  cir- 
cumstance, and  the  prevaience  of  a  heavy  sea,  tlie  action 
lasted  nearly  two  hours.  The  superiority  of  the  Amerii* 
can  gunnery,  in  this  action,  was  very  remarkable,  both  for 
its  sreater  rapidity  and  effect.  From  the  continued  blaze 
of  her  ftuns,  the  United  States  was,  at  one  moment, 
thought l)y  her  antagonist  to  be  on  fire ;  a  mistake  of 
very  short  duration.  On  board  the  Macedonian  there 
were  36  killed  and  68  wounded.   She  lost  her  mainmas^ 


$^4^ 


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I 


HISTORY  OF  THE  WAR. 


(Si 


[h6r  maintopmast,  and  main  yard,  and  was  much  cut  up  in  ; 
there  hull.    The  United  States  suffered  so  little,  that  a  re- 
turn to  port  was  not  necessary  :  6he  had  only  five  killed} 
ind  seven  wounded.     Among  the  killed  were  lieutenant 
i'unk,  of  whom  the  commodore  spoke  in  the  highest  terms, 
lieutenant  Allen  was  on  this  occasion  higrhly  applauded, 
i'he  commodore  arrived  at  New-York  on  the  -Ith  of  De- 
cember, with  his  prize.    Commodore  Decatur,  already  a 
Iniversal  favourite,    experienced  the  same  demonstra- 
^ns  of  gratitude,  as  were  shewn  to  captain  Hull:  nor 
there  denied  him  that  new  species  of  praise,  which 
I  generous  conduct  of  ourheroick  teamen  has  uniformly 
iwn  forth,  the  praise  of  the  enemy;  all  the  private  proper* 
belonging  to  the  men  and  officers^  board  the  Mace- 
^nian,  was  restored  to  the  captured  with  the  most  rigid 
ictitude  ;  and  their  treatment  was  the  most  polite  and 
(mane. 

[In  the  midst  of  these  rude  scenes, of  war,  itissome- 
tes  pleasing  to  turn  aside,  jIn  order  to  indulge  tlie  mild- 
feelings  of  humanity.    AA  act  of  generosity  and  be- 
irolence  on  the  part  of  our  brave  tars,  of  the  victorious 
[;ate,  deserves  to  be  honourably  recorded.     The  car- 
^ter,  who  was  unfortunately  killed  in  the  conflict  with 
'Macedonian,  had  left  three  small  children  to  the  care 
worthless  mother.     When  the  circumstance  became 
fwn  to  the  brave  seamen,  they  instantly  made  a  con- 
ation amongst  themselves,  to  the  amount  of  eight  hun* 
id  dollars,  and  placed  it  in  safe  hands,  to  be  appropri- 
to  tiie  education  and  maintenance  of  the  unhappy  or- 
is.   Such  acts  deserve  to  be  recorded  in  letters  of 

le  feelinp  of  the  nation  had  scarcely  time  to  subside, 
I  the  welcome  news  of  another  victory  was  received  $ 
tory  over  aa  enemy  most  decidedly  superiourin  forcej 
FUnder  circumstances  the  most  favourable  to  him. 
1  was  the  capture  of  the  brig  Frolick,  of  22  guns,  by 
Woop  of  war  Wasp.  Captain  Jones  had  returned 
.France,  two  weeks  after  the  declaration  of  war,  and 
ke  13th  of  October  again  put  to  sea.  On  the  16th  he 
^ienced  a  heavy  gale,  ia  which  the  Wasp  lost  her  jib- 


.«a 


HISTORY  OF  THE  WAlt 


boom  and  two  men.  On  the  evening  of  the  foNowing  da^, 
the-Wasp  found  herself  near  five  strange  sail,  and  as  twa 
of  them  appeared  to  be  ships  of  war,  it  was  thought  proper 
to  keep  at  a  distance.  At  day -light  on  Sunday  morning, 
Ihey  were  discovered  to  be  six  merchant  ships,  from  Hon- 
duras to  England,  under  a  strong  convoy  of  a  brig  and 
two  ships,  armed  with  sixteen  guns  each.  The  brig,  which 

g roved  to  he  the  Frolick,  eapt.  Whinyates,  dropped  be- 
ind,  while  the  others  made  sail.  The  Wasp,  being  pre- 
pared for  action,  at  32  m.  past  1 1  o'clock,  came  down  to 
windward  in  handsome  style,  when  the  action  was  bes:ni> 
by  the  enemy's  cannon  and  musketry.  This  was  return- 
ed, and  approaching  stilt  nearer  the  enemy,  brought  her 
to  close  action.  In  five  minutes  the  maintopmast  of  the 
Wasp  was  shot  away,  and  falling  down  with  the  maintop- 
sail  yard,  across  the  larboard  fore  and  foretopsail,  rendered 
her  head  yards  unmanageable  during  the  rest  of  the  action. 
In  two  minutes  more  her  gaft  and  mizeu  top-gallant  mast 
were  shot  away.  The  sea  being  cxceedingfy  rough,  the 
-muzzles  of  the  Wasp's  suna  were  sometimes  under  water. 
The  English  fired  as  their  vessel  rose,  so  that  their  shot 
was  either  thrown  away,  or  touched  the  rigging  of  the 
Americans  $  tlie  Wasp,  on  the  contrary,  fired  as  she  sunk, 
and  every  time  struck  tlie  hull  of  her  antagonist.  The 
Wasp  now  shol  ahe;::d,  raked  her,  and  tlieh  resumed  her 
position.  The  Frulick's  fire  had  evidently  slackened, 
and  the  Wasp,  gradually  neared  her,  until  in  tiie  last 
broadside,  they  touched  her  side  with  their  rammers.  It 
was  now  determined  to  lay  her  by  tlie  board.  The  jib<* 
boom  of  the  Frolick  came  in  between  the  main  andmiz- 
cn  mast,  rigging  of  the  Wasp  and  after  giving;  a  rakins 
j^re,  which  swept  tlie  whole  deck,  they  resolved  to  board. 
Lieutenant  Biddle  sprang  on  the  rising  of  the  enemy's 
bowsprit,  where  he  was  at  first  somewhat  entangled,  and 
i^idshipman  Barker,  in  his  impatience  to  be  on  board, 
caught  hold  of  fiiddle's  doat,  and  fell  back  ort  the  deck, 
but  in  a  moment  sfiKfing  up  and  leaped  on  the  bowsprit, 
where  he  found  one  L&ng  and  another  seaman.  His  sur- 
prise can  scarcely  be  imagined,  when  he  found  no  persoiv 
«D  deck;  except  threeo|&cers  and  th^  seaman  ajt  the  whe«l« 


m 


.mM 


■•mmmstiimffy*>'m<»m>iisiKT 


■^mf^mmmm 


#« 


HISTORY  OP  THE  WAR» 


53 


i 


TRc  deck  was  slippery  with  blood,  and  presented  a  scene 
of  liavock  and  ruin,  such  as  has  been  seldom  witnessed. 
As  he  advanced  the  officers  threw  down  their  swords  in. 
'  submission.    The  colours  were  still  flying,  there  being  no  * 
seaman  left  to  pull  them  down.   Lieutenant  Biddle  leaped 
into  t!ie  I'igging,  and  hauled  them  down  with  his  own- 
i  hands.    Thus,  in  forty-three  minutes,  complete  posses- 
[sion  was  taken  of  theFrolick,  after  one  of  the  most  oloody 
[conflicts  any  where  recorded  in  naval  history.    The  coti- 
iition  of  this  unfortunate  vessel,  was  inexpressibly  shock- 
ing.   The  birth  deck  was  crowded  with  the  dead,  thedjr- 
Ing  and  the  wounded ;  and  the  masts^  which  soon  after f&ll 
lovering  the  dead  and  every  thing  on  deck,  leaving  her  a 
liost  melancholy  wreck.    Captain  Jones  sent  on  board  hist 
lurgeon,  and  humanely  exerted  himself  in  their  relief,  to 
"he  utmost  of  his  power.    The  los»  on  board  the  Frolick 
fas  thirty  killed  and  fifty  wounded  ;  on  board  the  Wasp 
Eve  killed  and  Ave  slightly  wounded.    This  was  certainly 
e  most  decisive  action  fought  during  the  war.     The 
^asp  and  Frolicfc  were  both  captured  thi^t  very  dayby^/ 
British  74,  the  Poietiers,  captain  Beresford. . 
Captain  Jones  spoke  of  all  his  officers  and  men  in  hand- 
ime  terms ;  but  the  noble  part  which  he  bore  in  this 
^lebrated  combat,  was  torched  upon  with  all  that  modes- 
for  which  our  naval  heroes  have  been  so  iu»tly  admir- 
I.  Lieutenant  Booth,. Mr.  Rapp,  and  midshipman  Grant 
id  Baker,  were  particularly  distinguished^    Lieutenant 
Hxton,  altlwugh  too  unwell  to  render  any  assistance, 
Siwled  out  of  bed,  and  came  on  deck,  that  he  might 
miess  the  courage  of  his  comrades.    A  seaman  of  the 
ine  of  Jack  Lang,  from  Chester  county,  Pennsylvania, 
krave  fellow,  who  had  been  twice  impressed  by  the 
itish,  behaved,  on  this  occasion,  witj)  unusual  brAvery. 
^tain  Jones  reached  New-York  towards  the  latter  end 
*fovember.    The  legislatures  of  Massachusetts,  New- 
Irk,  and  Delaware,  of  which  state  lie  was  a  native^ 
Isented  him  with  their  thanks,  and  several  elegant 
l<>rds  and  pieces  of  plalej  and  the  Congres?  of  the 
*ited  States  voted  him.  his  officers,  and  crew,  25,000 
n^n,  as  a  recompense  for  their  loss,  io  not  being  able 


9nMA^ 


r 


jpypi(i|i  -p,  nil       I  Jiiii  i|i.iTT|nni»w^ 


I 


■*- 


54 


HISTORY  OF  THE  WAR. 


to  bring  in  the  Frolick.  He  was  soon  after  promoted  to 
the  command  of  the  Macedonian)  captured  by  commo- . 
dore  Decatur. 

Feats  of  naval  prowess  were  not  confined  to  national 
Vessels ;  the  exploits  of  private  armed  vessels  daily  filled 
the-  gazettes.  Letters  of  mar(]^ue  were  issued  soon  after 
the  declaration  of  war^  and  privateers  sailed  from  every 
port)  to  annoy  and  distress  the  enemy's  commerce.  They 
were  generally  constructed  for  swift  sailing,  an  art  in 
ivhich  the  Americans  excel  eve  y  other  people.  In  their 
contests  they  exhibited  the  Satiie  superiority  over  the 
'  vessels  of.  the  enemy,  as  was  shewn  with  respect  to  the 
ships  of  war.  One  of  tlie  first  to  sail,  was  the  Atlas,  com- 
manded by  captain  .Moffat.  On  the  third  of  August  he 
fell  in  with  two  armed  ships,  and  after  a  se'^re  action, 
captured  "them  both,  but  was  not  able  to  brin^  nibre  thaa 
one  of  th^m  into  port. 

The  Dolphin,  captain  Endicot,  of  Salem,  in  the  course^ 
of  a  few  weeks,  captured  fifteen  of  the  enemy's  vessels, 
and  for  his  activity  and  courage  soon  became  noted.  He 
had  the  misfortune  to  be- captured  by  a  squadron,  under 
commodore  Broke,  and  in  consequence  of  the  prejudice 
entertained  against  privateers,  and  the  irritation  which, 
his  exploits  had  excited,  he  was  treated  somewhat  rough- 
ly $  this  conduct^  to  the  honour  of  the  British  officers^ 
was  soon  changed,  when  they  were  informed,  by  the  pri- 
soners, of  the  humanity  of  his  conduct.  On  one  occasion^ 
there  happebed  to  be  on  board  one  of  the  Dolphin's 
'prizes,  an  old  woman,  wha  had  her  whole  fortune  on. 
Do&rd,  consisting  of  800  dolUira ;  she  made  a  lamentabia 
outcry  at  her  misfortune;  but  the  fact  was  no  sooner 
known  to  the  sailors,^  than  they  spontaneously  agreed  not 
io  touch  her  pid|Hice ;  and  on  arriving  in  tlie  United 
States,  she  felt  Jo  much  gratitude,  that  she  could  not  re- 
frain from  giving  publicity  to  it,  in  the  newspapers.  It 
soon  became  understood,  that  American  privateera  were 
under  the  same  regulations  as  national  vessels,  a  circum- 
stance in  which  they  differed  from  those  of  other  nations  ; 
Ittiat  in  fact,  private  cupidity  was  not  the  sole  motive  m 
mraung  th^ni}  but  that  they  constituted  a  pari  of  our  ctode 


'•'«»««P»W       ■■M.:y>-MiKm!^j!Sl^' 


HISTORY  OF  THE  WAR. 


35 


of  carrying  on  the  war,  by  assailing  the  enemy  in  hi»most 
vulnerable  part;  and  that  the  gallantry  displayed  on 
board  these  vessels,  bestowed  almost  as  much  honoar  on 
the  actor,  as  those  of  a  publiek  character ;  there  were, 
therefore,  the  same  inducements  to  correctness  of  deport- 
ment. It  cannot  be  denied,  however,  that  on  some  occa- 
sions during  the  war,  the  captured  privateersman  were 
treated  wi3i  a  degree  of  harshness,  and  even  cruelty, 
which  nothing  can  justify. 

Earlv  in  the  war,  one  of  our  oldest  and  most  distin- 
guished naval  heroes,  but  »"ho  had,  for  many  years,  led 
a  private  life,  entered  this  service.  Commodore  Barney 
sailed  from  Baltimore  in  the  Rossie,  and,  in  the  course  of 
a  few  months,  did  more  havock  in  the  British  commerce^ 
than  was  experienced  from  the  French  cruisers,  for 
The  fame  of  this  gallant  officer  was  already  well 


years. 


known  to  the  enemy,  particularly  as  the  captor  of  one  of 
their  vessels  of  war  M-superiour  force,  the  Monk,  during 
the  revolution. 

Such  was  the  glorious  beginning  (^  our  naval  warfare 
against  Great  Britain.    In  uie  course  of  a  few  monthsr 
two  of  her  finest  frigates  surrendered,  each  after  a 
W  minutes  fighting;  and  a  most  decided  victory  was 
gained  over  an  adversary  confessedly  superiour.     Be- 
fore tlie  meetine  of  Congress,  ia  November,  nearly  two^ 
hundred  and  fifty  ves8e^  were  captured  from  the  enemy, 
and  more  than  three  thousand  prisoners  taken.  Upwards 
Gf  fifty  of  them  were  armed  vessels,  and  carrying  five 
hundred  and  seventy-five  guns.    To  counterbalance  this 
immense  loss,  the  eoemy  had  but  a  small  account.  By  the 
cruise  of  commodore  Kodgers,  our  merchantinent  had 
ieen  much  aided  in  getting  into  port,  and  the  nut^tbor 
captured  was  but  trifling  compared  to  theirs.  The  Frolislii 
and  Wasp,  we  have  seen;  were  captured  in  a  way.  tot- 
give  no  credit  to  the  captors.    Two  other  smaller  ves- 
sels were  also  capturea  by  scjuadrons ;  the  first,  on  the 
twentieth  of  July,  the  schooner  Nautilus,  of  twelve^uns,^ 
commanded  b^  lieutenant  Crane,  captured  by  tlie  frigate 
Shannon,  the  leading  ship  of  the  squadron^    *fhe  Vixen 
^u  captured  the  tweaty-second  of  November,  by  tlm 


I 


■MOMMia 


m 


HISTORY  OF  THS  WAH. 


r- 


Northampton  frigate,  Sir  James  Yoe.  Not  long  after  the 
capture,  both  vessels  ran  ashore,  and  were  wrecked « 
Through  the  exertions  of  captain  Reed,  of  the  Vixen,  much 
of  the  property  was  saved  from  the  wreck ;  and,  in 
eonsequence  of  his  services  on  the  occasion,  |ie  was  pub- 
lickly  thanked  by  Sir  James,  and  permission  given  to 
him  to  return  home  on  his  parole.  This  he  generously 
declined,  as  he  could  not  think  of  receiving  any  benefits, 
in  which  his  officers  and  crew  could  not  partake.  He 
accordingly^  accompanied  them  to  Nova  Scotia,  where  he 
fell  a  victim  to  the  climate.  He  was  interred  by  the 
Biitish  with  the  honours  of  war,  accompanied  with  every 
demonstration  of  respect^  to  the  men?ory  of  a  brave- and. 
gallant  officer. 

The  navy  now  became  the  favourite  of  the  nation;  for 
thus  far,  contrasted  with  our  armies,  it  was  entitled  to 
the  most  decided  preference.    There  were  not  wanting 
occasions  in  which  our  arms  by  land  had  acquired  repu- 
tation, but  they  had  also  brought  upon  us  disnonour^  on 
the  contrary,  the  navy,  in  every  instance^  had  added  to- 
ournational  renown.    The  modesty  of  our  naval  com- 
manders,  in  the  narratives  of  the  most  brilliant  achieve- 
ments, amd  which  were  read   with  delight  in  every  cot- 
tage, and  spread  over  our  country  by  thf;  means  of  our 
thousand  newspapers,  was  peculiarly  pleising:  whereas 
the  proclamations  of  our  generals,  were  too  often  filled^ 
with  idle  fustian.    The  British  had  threatened  to  drive 
OMr  <*  bits  of  striped  bunting'^  from  the  ocean^r  ftnd  wc- 
bad  been   seriousfy  apprehensive  tliat  oUr  little  navy 
would  at  once  be  annihilated  V  we,  however,  sought  con- 
solation for^is,  in  the  prospect  of  possessins  Canada,., 
and.  freeing  ourselves  from  troublesome  neighbours.    In 
both  instances  how  greatly  disappointed  ?  Ine  dispensa- 
tions of  Providence  are  better  tnan  the  wisdom  of  men.. 
The  mortification  of  Great  Britain  was  attended  with  no 
alleviation.     She  was  wounded  ia  the  most  vital  part. . 
In  vain  did  she  seek  consolation  in  endeavouring  to  tiide 
her  misfortune  from  herself,  by  representing  our  vesselsr^ 
m  every  instance,  as  greatly  superiour  in  size,  and  liaving^' 
fvery  advantage  in  the  vanuus  conflicts*^   Thi»  might  49^^ 


m 


m 


'i    m 


I    i- 


Jn 


.T-WT^TKfPW- 


■■■'meim^f"-  ■■«'«rT"^"'^viJ!^*s«»wf»iipi|^^ 


HISTORY  OF  THE  WAR. 


^ 


onour;  on 


>ith  respect  to  one  engagement,  but  the  same  cause  wa» 
insufficient  to  account  for  her  defeats  in  every  instance* 
The  American  frigates  were  seventy-fours  in  disguise,, 
and  she  turned  her  setenty-fours  into  frigates,  that  she 
mij^ht  contend  on  equal  terms.  But  she  could  not  so 
•asily  account  for  the  wonderful  superiority  in  the  ma- 
nagement of  the  ships,  and  in  gunnery.  She  set  on  foot 
committees  of  investigation ;  and  the  result  was,  that 
by  some  unaccountable  neglect,  her  marine  had  degene-^ 
rated,  and  it  was  seriously  recommended  to  her  Navy^ 
Board,  to  put  their  heroes  again  to  school,  (hat  they 
might  learn  to  cope  with  this  new,  ttiis  subtle,  and  most 
extraordinary  enemy.  From  the  idle  boast  of  beins  thri 
aovEREioNs  OF  THE  SEAS,  a  cUim,  as  vain  asmatta 
[tile  dominion  of  the  air  or  the  Hght,  and>  without  whose 
[permission  not  a  sail  could  be  spread,  uey  were  most 
Icompletely  humbled  by  one  of  .the  youngest  maritime 
states ;  actuated  by  no  ambition  of  conquest,  but  merely 
contending:  forCthe  privile^of  navigating  an  element,  de« 
ligned  by  tne  Alm^hty  for  the  common  possession  of  th|S 
lumaarace. 


CHAPTER  III. 

hneral  Bdrrison  takes  command  of  the  JVbrtkivest§rH 
army — Expedition  under  general  fVinchester — General 
Hopkins — Defence  of  Fort  Harrisonr^Colonel  Cantp- 
belVs  Expeditiun, 

HE  publick  mind  having  recovered  from  the  distress 

d  chagrin  occasioned  by  the  surrender  of  Hull,  was 

|»w  carried  to  the  contrary  extreme.    A  spirit  was  rous- 

U  which  produced  effects  not  equalled  by  the  most  en- 

Misiastick  periods  of  our  revolution.    To  the  westwar4 

■d  to  the  southward,  volunteer  corps  were  forming  in 

:ry  quarter,  and  tendering  their  services  for  any  en^ 


MM 


MMiM 


jMiM 


i» 


HISTORY  OF  THE  WAIL 


I  - 


terprise  which  might  Be  undertaken.  The  western  parti 
of  PennsvWania  and  Virdnia  exhibited  great  alacritj : 
but  it  was^in  ihe  states  of  Kentucky,  Ohio,  and  Tennes- 
see, that  this  generous  zeal  prevailed  in,  the  highest  de- 
gree. Civil  pursuits  were  almost  forsaken,  while  this 
enihiisiasm  was  shared  by  persons  of  every  sex,  and 
•very  age.  The  ladies  set  themiielves  to  work  in  prepar- 
ing military  clothing  and  knapsacks  for  their  relatives  and 
friends,  and  cheerfully  confnbuted  from  their  household 
stock,  sbch  articles  as  their  soldiers  might  require.  Com- 
panies were  equipped  in  a  single  day,  and  ready  to  march 
tiie  next.  There  prevailed  e\etj  where,  the  most  anima- 
ted scenes  of  preparation.  The  admiration  which  this 
•Excites,  is  not  lessened  by  the  reflectibn,  that  they  were 
but  acting  in  self-^defenbe,  for  excepting  in  the  remote 
settleinents,  alid  n^relj^  on  the  frontier,  there  was  but 
little  to  Uppreheiid  ff'Oih  the  Indians:  tbe  stfttTements 
baving  foeic<nne  so  considerable  in  the  western  states,  that 
it  would  be  impossible  for  the  enemy  to  penetrate  far. 
They  were  actual  ^d  by  an  enthusiastick  love  of  country, 
a  generous  spirit,  which  could  n;>t  brook  the  thought  of 
having  been  worsted,  or  that  a  part  of  the  territory  of 
the  United  States,  should  fall  by  conquest  into  the  hands 
of  our  enemy.  The  military  ardour  which  was  now 
awakened,  displayed  the  character  of  a  free  peopte^  ia  the 
most  interesting  point  of  view. 

Louisville  andf  Newport  had  been  appointed  as  the 
places  of  rendezvous,  for  the  troops  destined  to  the  aid 
of  Hull.  So  numerous  were  the  volunteers  from  Ken- 
tucky, who  offered  their  services  here,  that  it  was  soon 
found  necessary  to  issue  orders  that  no  more  would  be 
received,  and  many  companies,  thus  disappointed,  were 
compelled  to  turn  back.  The  command  of  the  Kentucky 
Udilitia,  was  assigned  to  general  Fa^ne.  The  same  ala- 
crity was  ihanifested  in  the  state  ot  Ohio,  which,  in  the 
course  of  a  few  days,  embodied  an  equal  force  under  gene- 
ral Tupper.  The  Pennsylvania  volunteers,  under  sene* 
ral  Crooks,  were  marched  to  fclrir  and  a  brigade  of  Virgi- 
nians under  general  Leftwitch,  was  to  j.oin  the  troops  of 
Ohio,  at  Urbanna.    The  Kentucky  troops,  togetlierwUh 


'"WMSSPIW"- 


-'iT'^^^^MBPUPP 


-  HISTORyoFTimWAH. 

the  seveuleenth  U  s  ^«  •  99 

neater  part  of  which  hl5T"**  ""*^«'-  colonel  WpII    .. 

Mnd  men  were  dr«  J    *  ^^"^  ^^^^sVunvvarl  Ir  /  ^^"^''^' 
«quipDed    Pmk   r  ?"  **"*  from  their  kI®  ^'^^ourthou- 

'^^o  was  well  kZwn  f ' ^K^i,?"  ^'UO'- general  Si  ^°'"- 
^cent  conducf  at  7?  •  ^''^^esteri  veoX.  a  ?''''' 
h  a  ieader     In    ^,'PP'canoe  had  relS]  *"'*  ^''«8e 

N  the  ^.'3'  '""Sell^  t  '?"«"^.  i"  o^:'  nr 
fe  »n  the  twelfth  of  s^  *     H»riigon  arrivcrf  .V  .?• 
Pe  Indians  wCh^  S^t-'^ber.  »ieh  ^C^ismnS!" 
HPproach     if  l  j  .  *""  "ege  to  it    j  •''■'""  men. 

I'nth.MeVthr/'''^''''''  «*'^cfc»ffrlT'''"''li'''« 
("g  't  ad»i8»f.I.  J»      *"  "aj'''.  Seneral  w.    • 

PdtooCCUDV   fh--^        ^'^"V*'    of  thp    n*K        !    *"™'' 


»i»n  co2'  *•''« 'fermediate  tio,e  i!  l.**'  *'"»»P». 
A  with  El  •^'''''"«'  Wells,  WM  I'V"^  waste 

r'  -der  «.e  c^„,  of gene^i^^^tf ^-^h. 


i 


€r» 


HISTORY  OF  THE  WAH. 


ing  of  colonels  Lewis  and  Allen's  re^ment,  and  captain 
Garrard's  company,  against  the  Miami  villages.  The 
detachments  were  in  both  instanras  successfuK  the  bark 
and  wooden  huts  of  nine  villages  wene  destroyed,  the 
inhabitants  having  abandoned  them  $  their  corn  was  also 
cut  up,  according  to  the  mode  of  warfare  practised  on 
these  people  by  all  Euro^iean  nations.  General  fHarrison 
returned  to  fort  Wayne  about  the  eighteenth,  where  h€ 
found  general  Winchester,  with  considerable  reinforce- 
ments from  Ohio  and  Kentucky ;  this  officer  had  been 
'jiiginally  destined  to  the  command,  and  the  new  arrange- 
ment had  not  yet  been  known.  General  Harrison,  there- 
fore, sat  oft' for  Indiana,  but  was  soon  overtaken  by  a  mes- 
senger, with  information  of  his  promotion.  On  the  2Sd  he 
accordingly  resumed  the  command. 

The  day  before  his  arrival,  general  Winchester  had 
inarched  for  fort  Defiance,  on  his  wa^  to  the  Rapids,  the 
place  of  ultimate  destination.  His  force  consisted  of  a 
brigade  of  Kentucky  militia,  four  hundred  regulars,  and 
a  troop  of  horse,  in  all  about  two  thousand  men.  The 
country  which  he  was  compelled  to  traverse,  opposed 
great  difficulties,  particularly  in  the  transportation  of 
stores.  Along  the  heads  of  the  rivers  which  discharge 
themselves  into  the  Ohio,  on  the  south,  and  those  which 
discharge  themselves  into  the  \ake6  on  the  north,  there  is 
an  extensive  tract  of  flat  land,  full  of  marshes  and  ponds, 
in  which  the  streams  take  their  rise.  In  rainy  seasons 
particularly,  this  tract  is  exceedingly  difficult  to  pass,  the 
not-ses  at  every  step  sinking  to  the  knees  in  mud.     The 

grouiidf  besides,  is  covered  with  deep  forests  and  close 
tickets.  To  facilitate  the  passage  through  this  wilder- 
ness, each  man  was  obliged  to  carry  provisions  for  six 
days.  General  Harrison  proceeded  to  Fort  St.  Mary's, 
for  the  purpose  of  transporting  supplies  by  the  Aux 
Glaise,  a  br  nch  of  the  Miami.  The  detachment,  for  this 
purpose,  was  placed  under  the  command  of  major  Jen^* 
nin^s. 

Ihe  American  troops  proceeded  6lowly  on  their  march) 
on  account  of  the  precautions  necessary  to  avoid  surpiise 
In  A   country  highly   favourable  for  Indian  warfare* 


li-ii 


,  '::':;^ii^r-^^m^wm^imn-^^.mrmii^ 


hiSTMY  OF  THE  WAR. 


et 


From  the  closeness  of  the  thickets^  thej  were  under  the 

necessity  of  cutting  open  a  road  each  ^'lay,  and  weve  not 

iBble  to  make  more  than  six  or  eisht  miles.    Thej  'isualljr 

[encamped  at  three  o'clock,  and  uirew  up  a  breast-work  to 

guard  against  a  night  attack.     They  had  the   precfiu- 

tion,o  B  their  march,  to  be  preceded  by  a  party  of  spies. 

inder  an  active  ofiicer,  captain  Ballard,  and  an  advanced 

lard  of  about  three  hundred  men.    On  the  24th  they 

iiscovered  an  Indian  trail  for  the  first  time,  and  pursued 

some  distance;  but  from  the  nature  of  tiie  country,  it 

ras  impossible  to  overtake  the  enemy.    Ensign  Legget, 

aving  obtained  permission  to  penetrate  to  Fort  Defiance, 

'ill  at  the  distance  of  twenty  four  miles,  set  out  accom- 

inied  by  four  volunteers.    These  gallant  young  men, 

>t  being  sufficiently  experienced   in  such  enterprises, 

killed  the  sam^  evening,  and  found  the  next  day 


sre 


the  spies,  scalped  ar^  i  tomahawked  in  th^  most  barba- 
^us  manner.  On  the  £7 ch,  captain  Ballard,  who  had  gone 
fore  for  the  purpose  of  burying  the  dead,  discovered  an 


fie  enemy  being  thus  frustrated,  they  rose  from  their 

'  ]g  places,  r&ised  the  war  whoop,  and  took  posses- 

of  an  elevatei!  piece  of  ground ;  but  were  soon  com<r 

id,  by  the  approach  of  the  cavalry,  and  the  well 

:ted  nre  of  the  spies,  to  betake  themselves  to  the 

ips  and  thickets.    The  next  day,  while  the  array 

Ion  its  march,  four  Indians  fired  upon  the  spies;  the 

ral  instantly  drew  up  his  men,  and  sent  forward  a 

hment  of  horse,   which  returninr  with  an  account 

lo  enemv  could  be  seen,  the  line  of  march  was  again 

led.    'Iney  had  not  proceeded  far,  when  a  trail  was 

rered,  which  induced  the  general  to  cro^  the  river, 

Soitly  after  another  trail  was  discovered,  but  which 

,  first  supposed  to  have  marked  the  march  of  colonel 

lee,  and  was  therefore  hailed  with  joy  by  the  troops, 

id  bearun  to  suffer  exceedingly  for  want  of  provisions. 

^reeable  mistake  was  unpleasantly  rectified  by  the 

of  the  scouts,  who  brought  iotelUgence  that  aboi^ 

6 


'\ 


n 


1 1 


"^WiPr 


m^i-i/nm-      *• 


^ 


HISTORY  OF  THE  WAR. 


two  miles  above  Fort  Defiance,  they  had  seen  the  Iiulians 
encamped,  with  their  war  poles  erected,  and  bloody  flag 
^displayed. 

•On  the  evening  of  the  £9th,  a  messenger  arrived  from 
ooloMel  Jennings,  with  the  information,  that,  on  having 
discovered  the  British  and  Indians  in  possession  of  Fort 
Defiance,  he  had  thought  it  prudent  to  land  about  forty 
niies  above  that  place,  where  ne  had  erected  a  block-house, 
and  awaited  further  orders.  Captain  Garard,  with  about 
thirty  of  his  troopers,  was  despatched  with  orders  to  Jen- 
nings, to  forward  the  provisions ;  this  was  promptly  obey- 
ed. Captain  Garard  returned  as  the  escort  to  a  brigade 
of  pack-horses,  on  which  they  were  loaded,  after  having 
been  for  thirty 'Six  hours  exposed  to  an  incessant  rain. 
This  occurrence  gave  new  life  and  spirits  to  the  starving 
arniT)  which  had  in  the  mean  time  taken  possession  of  Fort 
Defiance.  The  British  and  Indians  had  precipitatel  v  de- 
scended the  river.— On  the  4th  of  October,  general  Harri- 
son left  the  fort  and  returned  to  tlte  settlements,  with  a 
view  of  organizing,  and  brining  up  the  centre  and  right 
wiogof  tlie  army  ;  the  left  wing  having  been  placed  under 
the  command  of  general  Winchester.  Orders  were  given 
to  general  Tupper,  by  the  commader  in  chief,  to  proceed 
immediately  to  the  Rapids,  with  about  one  thousand  men, 
for  the  purpose  of  driving  the  enemy  from  that  place. 

The  intended  expedition  of  general  I'upper  proved 
Ikbortive.  The  general,  in  consequence  of  tlie  damaged 
state  of  the  ammunition,  and  the  length  of  time  requisite 
to  prepare  the  necessary  provisions,  was  considerably  de- 
layed. In  the  mean  while  the  Indians  had  killed  a  man 
4>n  the  opposite  side  of  the  river,  and  almost  within  gun 
shot  of  tne  camp.  He  beat  to  arms,  and  ordered  major 
^ruslvtu  cross  over  with  about  fifty  men,  and  explore  the 
woodSf  while  a  strong  detachment  would  be  formed  for 
the  purpose  of  supporting  him,  in  case  of  attack.  The 
party  had  no  sooner  moved,  than  all  in  camp  began  to 
oreaK  away,  twenty  or  thirty  togetiier,  in  order  to  join 
ia  tlie  chase,  and  by  no  exertion  of  authority  could  they 
be  kept  back ;  so  totally  insensible  were  the^  to  any 
tbiog  like  regular  military  subordination.    Luckily  the«ie 


:.  ..■■  x...'rAddiat.'jJ'<k.-lt>...  •■ 


,".sft^..  -f-tlllf'       '• 


I. 

en  ihe  Indians 
nd  bloody  flag 

arrived  from 
jat,  on  having 
sesuon  of  Fort 
id  about  forty 
1  a  block-house, 
ird)  with  about 
orders  to  Jen- 
promptly  obey- 
rt  to  a  brigade 
J,  after  having 
incessant  rain, 
to  the  starving 
ssession  of  Foi't 
recipitatelv  dc- 
,  general  Harri- 
leinents,  with  a 
Mitre  and  right 
fen  placed  under 
Jers  were  given 
lief,  to  proceed 
i  thousand  meny 
that  place, 
'upper  proved 
'  tlie  damaged 
time  requisite 
nnsiderably  de- 
d  killed  a  man 
ost  within  gun 
ordered  major 
nd  explore  the 
be  formed  for 
attack.    The 
;amp  began  to 
order  to  join 
ity  could  they 
e  they  to  any 
Luckily  these 


mSTORV  OF  THE  WAIL 


small  bodies  were  not  attacked,  or  fhey  must  have  been 


:^  Tupper  represented  his  situation,  and  requested  that  tho^ 
order  might  be  countermanded  ;  but  this  was  answered 
by  a  peremptory  command,  which  he  now  attempted  to 
ooey.  This  unfortunately  resulted  in  a  misunderstand- 
ing between  him  and  the  commanding  general,  in  conse- 
quence of  whieh  coloner  Allen  received  private  orders  to 
supercede  him  in  the  command;  on  this  being  made 
known  to  the  corps  of  Ohio,  they  positively  refused  to 
march,  unanimously  set  off  for  llrbanna,  and  the  expedi- 
tion was-entirely  broken  up* 

These  are  instances  of  insubordination  much  to* be  re- 
gretted-; but  tiiey  ^ring  from  the  want  of  the  habit  or 
mechanical  obedience j  and  not  p^mittihs  their  comman- 
ders, on  occasions  like  thi»,  to  think  for  them.  Such  are 
ihe  unavoidable  evils  attending  a  militia  hastily  caljed 
together,  and  not  kept  in  a  body  a  sufficient  length  of 
time,  to  learn  the  utility  of  perfectisobordination.  They 
do  hot  reflect,  that,  to  a  soldier,  this  is  no  more  incom- 
patible unth  the  liberty  of  the  citizen,  than  the  wholesome 
restraints  of  virtue  and  the  lawS)  are  to  the  man  of  so- 
ciety.     ■ 

It  was  how  necessary  to  wait  until  the  arrival  of  tha 
other  divisions  of  the  army,  before  any  thing  further  could 
be  attempted  against  the  Rapids,  and  much  less  against 
Detroit.  The  army  was  at  this^  time  accompanied  by 
some  friendly  Indians,  whom  general  Harrison  had  re- 
ceived iiito  his  service  at  Fort  Wayne,  the  greater  part 
under  the  command  of  Logan.  No  other  course  would 
have  prevented  their  becoming  our  enemies ;  it  was  in 
vain  to  expect  them  to  remain  neutral,  while  surround- 
ed by  war.  However  contrary  to  our  maxims  arid  policy 
to  employ  such  auxiliaries,  weVere  compelled  to  do  so  in 
self  defence;  and  we  afterwards  sufficiently  evinced^  by 
the  conduct  of  those  Indians,  that  it  is  not  impossible  to 
restrain  them,  from  the  commission  of  acts  of  barbarity. 


64 


BISTORro,THE.WAlt 


— «    A  iMju  'VF Air 

™e'i'  scouts   »»  L     ?r™»BaDid8  »Mlt  ?  ■PJ><"««ched 
«»d  indhS?  A  is 'f '  '"  tfc*PoCi^*pV  »«»«!,  by 


"'"•eineffechi.ir.L     •  *^  such.   tR«rs.  •**•    "a 

»P»ce  opp»X  Tf ''"'"»««  out  of  ale»^™'r  e«l«iiin* 

*H  and  d.scenJeVfc'-'^'^''  »"'«l«  sEdT*^"'"" 
Mere  seen  camrv^  •  "®  "^c*  whilp  *i.„  rr5*'^'»c»«'  ca. 
^•«?  then  IS'y  oft-  on  the  road  t%i?^r  *^««en 


was  /r:r    ^^^wpenng  oft'  on 7k.    " 7  "»< 

n«8  then  opened  uSon  H     a    '"^^^  *» 
jnd  afour  pounder     n"  ^''®  Americans,  uiii:'"    ?  "''• 
to  cross.  .J".r'*"tfeHrjnji^^„,«;fgem  did  not  per. 


to  cross   fltwi  *L     "^  "^W'  indian«  «f  «  ^"^  "'"  not  ner 
*«  attadted  '  Z^""*  'PP'-ebensi^X',  k™'""*  '''8''er 


PunniJl  ."^-jy  to  orders,  fir^d  „!  ?' j""*  men.  unfortu. 


•    -f^i  tnis  moment,  « 


t] 


"^IW'llWe».»n* 


'Fort  JVi*Artbur. 
ns^Ivania  and  a 

l^lArthur,  or. 
«  wproceedin* 
M»t  8IX  hundreU 
?a  Provisiong, 
jn  approached 
^fy  found,  br 
«f«ie  British 
i  vessels  wer© 
■•nation,  Uiev 
[ndthenhali 
^^  river,  and 
break.    The 
f'f  attempt* 
reavoiired  te 

was  thought 
«8ed,  tore. 
«««>»  and  if 
»/pose,  ear- 
te  coiumnsv 

in  an  open 
:  eonfusioft 
«  their  ca* 
an  women 
t-    ABrt 

»»«8k«trj 

not  per- 

(fisposed 

number, 

"P  niidifc 
en.    He 
unfortu. 
>£».>  and 
disobe- 
nent,  4 


HISTORY  OF  THE  WAR 

*>orIj  of  mounted   Tn^-  ^ 

nien,  and  attartAri :,    '*"s  rushed  forwnr^     1  -.» 
«mn  be.„,  tto'^ttcr''  ''  '''  ^«nL  ^t,^  ^«"r 
caused  the  Indians.  *'•  J  ^^™"»«nce1^  a  Kfc  fi*"®   ^**- 
and  passing  alon  Ahl  ^  "^^  ^''^^n^.    The  Fni'    ^''*'  ^'^d 
J-ear  of  the  left  ?  i     ''^n-guard,  made  «  M    '*'*'  ''a"'e<^, 
biisklyback    »M    I?""-   ^'"s  column  t        ?^  upon  the 
^^<i  in  UveufJ^^''^^^^^^^  "^^  also  thrown 

*'^?  Indians  .v^re  *   /"?*'''"at'on  was  nlr.^^^%  '"ade 

tf"s,  the  genera?  nT'^^S^  '»  consideS  ^^^*?^'  that 

'^arching  order       'i^'^^  *'»«  'eft  coS  .  ""'"''ersj  on 

"^n,  wCe  a  m^K  ^'^^^  *«   '  e  htTJ^^^«  "P  the 

^^bacCothers  s/fn  -^  ^"^'^^'^ Me/w *''"  "S'^*  ^^' 
^''•edon  the  „n      •.*''''"  the  river   nniL->' *^''«ssed  on 

.undertaking,  Tan;  nf  'f,''  *^«^P'etei  v  guco!  ^^  ^^s  or- 
'ntberiver  'P^  -ry  *'^em  bem<r^L^r^^^^^^  »n  the 
bthe  famous STr^  ^^eir horses 

li-om  which  hi  i    ^P''t-I-Oft  who  rnrii   *?**^ans  were  led . 
aid  fired  frn     r.^""»es  fiSda/nXif  *  ^"«  ^^n'te  horse 

h^veSmuThsun''^'  *  ''^''    kfZ'r'^-&/ 
^eral/y  rideTandfhP^"""''  ^^  «»ose  which 7.     *,PP^^"eJ  t<> 


rfriii.iL..j-^  jiLiiian  • 


66 


HISTORY  OF  THE  WAR. 


y 


bash,  was  appointed  the  place  of  rendezvous  for  an  ex^ 
pedition  against  the  Peoria  towns,  and  others  situated 
on  the  Illinois  and  Wabash  rivers.  Nearly  four  thousand 
men,  chiefly  mounted  riflemen,  under  the  command  of 
seneral  Hopkins,  collected  at  this  place,  and  early  in 
Oct6ber  proceeded  to  Fort  Harrison.  This  expeditionr 
was  sanctioned  by  the  venerable  Govemour  Shelby,  of 
Kentucky,  and  was,  perhaps,  the  most  formidable  in  ap- 
pearance that  had  ever  entered  the  Indian  country. 

The  army  reached  Fort  Harrison  about  the  tenth,  and 
en  the  fourteenth  crossed  the  Wabash,  and  proceeded  on 
its  march  against  the  Kickapoo  and  Peoria  towns ;  the 
first  about  eighty  miles  distant,  the  others  about  one  hun- 
dred and  twentj.  Its  march  lay  through  open  plains  cover- 
ed with  a  luxuriant  grass,  which  in  autumn  becomes  very 
dry  and  combustible.    Murmurs  and  discontents  soon  be- 

fan  to  shew  themselves  in  lAiis  unwiddy  and  ill  compacted 
ody,  which  was  kept  together  by  no  cfiscipline  or  author- 
ity. Every  one  consulted  his  own  will ;  in  fact,  but  littfe 
could  be  expected  from  this  "  press  of  chivalry".  They 
had  scarcely  been  four  days  on  their  march,  when  they 
demanded  to  be  led  back ;  a  major,  whose  name  it  is  un- 
necessary to  remember,  roile  up  to  the  general,  and  pe- 
remptorily ordered  him  to  return  !  An  idea  had  begun  to 
prevail,  that  the  guides  weire  ignorant  of  the  country,  and 
that  their  course  was  the  opposite  of  that  which  they  direct- 
ed. An  unlucky  occurrence,  towards  evening,  gave  the 
finishing  blow  to  this  mighty  expedition.  A  gust  of  wind 
had|jarisen,  while  they  were  encamped,  which  blew^violent- 
ly  towards  them ;  soon  after,  the  grass  was  discovered 
to  be  on  fire,  and  the  flames  approaching  with  great  ve- 
locity. This  was  supposed  to  be  an  Indian  attack; 
it  would  have  been  a  formidable  one,  hud  they  not  set  fire 
to  the  grass  around  their  camp,  and  thus  arrested  the  pro- 
gress of  the  flames.  The  next  morning  a  council  of  offi- 
cers was  called,  and  the  general,  seeing  the  state  of  the 
army,  or  mure  properly  ofthe  crowd,  proposed  to  proceed 
against  the  Indian  towns  with  five  hundred  men,  if  that 
number  would  volunteer  their  services,  while  the  re- 
mainder might  return  to  Fort  Harit^xm,    When  ^e  prOi| 


1^' 


mSTORY  OF  THE  WAR, 


er 


DU9  for  an  ci- 
thers situated 
four  thousand 
e  command  of 
,  and  early  ia 
his  expedition: 
our  Shelby,  of 
•mitlable  in  ap- 
country. 
the  tenth,  and 
d  proceeded  on 
riatownsj  the 
about  one  hun- 
sn  plains  cover- 
i  becomes  very 
mtents  soon  he- 
ld ill  compacted 
pline  or  author- 
i  fact,  but  littte 
ivalry".    They 
^rch,  when  they 
»  name  it  is  un- 
moral, andpe- 
!a  had  begun  to 
le  country,  and 
lich  they  direct- 
ning,  gave  the 
A  gust  of  wind 
;h  blew^violent- 
as  discovered 
with  great  ve- 
ndian  attack; 
ley  not  set  fire 
[ested  the  pro- 
louncil  of  offi- 
le  state  of  the 
led  to  proceed 
1  men,  if  that 
while  there- 
hen  t>w  pf<»t 


posal  was  made  to  the  men,  not  one  would  turn  out;  the 
general  having  entirely  lost  his  popularity.  He  then  re- 
quested to  be  permitted  to  direct  the  operations  of  that 
single  day;  this  being  agreed  to,  he  placed  himself  at 
their  head,  and  gave  orders  to  march ;  but  instead  of 
fbllowin^  him,  they  turned  round,  and  pursued  a  contra- 
ry direction.  Findins  it  useless  to  attempt  any  thing 
further  with  such  a  body,  he  followed  in  its  rear  to 
Fort  Harrison.  They  saw  no  Indians  during  their  march ; 
their  number  must  have  caused  a  most  fopmidabl'R!  ap- 
pearance in  the  prairie,  particularly  as  they  were  nearly 
all  on  horseback.  The  expedition  was  by  no  means  use- 
less, as  it  impressed  the  enemy  with  an  alarming  idea  of 
the  numbers  which  we  could  bring  against  them.  No  in- 
ference unfavourable  to  militia,  can  be  justly  drawn  from 
this  body,  or  to  the  individuals  who  composed  it:  for  it 
was  nothing  more  than  a  crowd  of  armed  men  under  no 
command. 

The  same  officer,  sometime  in  November,  led  another 
^arty,  with  more  success,  against  the  towns  at  the  head 
of  the  Wabash.  On  the  I  Itn,  he  again  set  out  from  Fort 
Harrison,  with  about  1200  men ;  while  at  the  same  time, 
seven  boats,  under  the  command  of  lieutenant  colonel 
Barber,  ascended  the  river  with  supplies  and  provisions. 
On  the  19th,  he  reached  the  Prophet's  town,  and  immedi- 
ately despatched  SOO  men,  to  surprise  the  Winebago  towns 
on  ronce  Passu  creek.  The  party,  *undcr  colonel  Butler, 
came  upon  the  place  about  day  break,  butfound  it  evacuat- 
ed. Tnis  village,  together  with  the  Prophet's  town,  and 
a  large  Kickapoo  village,  containing  one  hundred  and 
twenty  cabins  and  huts,  were  destroyed,  together  with  the 
winter'sjprovision  of  corn.  Until  the  21st,  no  Indians  were 
discovered,  when  they  fired  on  a  small  party,  and  kill- 
ed a  man  of  the  name  «f  Dunn,  a  gallant  soldier  of  Du- 
vall's  company.  The  next  day,  about  sixty  horsemen, 
under  colonels  Miller  and  Wilcox,  being  sent  out  to  bury 
the  dead,  they  were  suddenly  attackeaby  «  considera- 
ble party  of  Indians ;  and,  in  the  skirmish  which  ensued, 
eighteen  of  our  men^were  killed,  wounded  and  missing. 
T£e  principal  (amp  of  the  Indians  having  been  disco- 


,^ 


'■^*«i*^'*«iip 


68 


■1.i 


HISTORV  OF  THE  WAR. 


MitTTlT  '^''■^  ■»»«'«  to  attack';*   I,  , 
"oipe  narrow  raJlnT;'  ''?,r^"'.'>f  ascfnd"!'^  ^-k  of 

dition.    mttlF?'™'   Wopkin"  on  hi,  «'"".'■  *"» 

P»st,  the  For*  I  ■'^    "'"'  'i'*™  sickness     p"'""!"""/  Iiav- 

6  S  w  tue  contractor,  di 


>l 


.f 


^■^''^SBftr.*.- 


^^fWlRp^*- 


HISTORY  OP  TOR  WAR.  ^^ 

ffln^'a^'J^f^H^^^^^^^^^  enveloped  the 

Pirate ,.  the  jells  of  Se  iSn  "  ?h.  ^.k  'T  H'^^  ^^s! 
Sf  w««»en  and  children  wS  'Jjl5'l"^i*  of  a  number 
tiie  n^t,  altogether  nnSJr '3' !?®''.^.*'»«  horroursrf 
soldiers,  «^ylas^Z^iZ^'^;^ ^  JerriBck scene.    Two 

The  commander,  with  m^^r  **°%  «*»*  to  pieces 
the  rooft  tobeVktn  &  thHr*!^^  "^»"d' <^^e5 
attemnt,  with  th? «sistenMr^«  I'^ckstm 
Fovea  successfnl,  althoS^de^.:,?**^^'  lortuhatelj 
iets.  A  breast  work  Wa-  S  fif^  "^"^Jer  a  shower  6f  buf- 
fr  eight  feet  hiirk  so  M*n/^^  ^^'^S^'  ^^^""^^  mornink  sir 

^ftbrtheburSVoThou?;''^ 

t»l  dajr-iighi,^!,      tf.j;^*.«-     *«?  wwg  continued  un- 

«evere  loss  /  that  of  ?he  FoT'  '^^"^^'  ''^''  suffering  a 
a  few  wounded.  The  Ihdia^  T  ^'^^  ^^ree  killed^  id 

ibrSi'i^^  *ho4htp^r^rr::jf^^''^*^«fi^i^^ 

/urther  attempts,  unfflthrp'kc^^^^  and  made  no 

the  arnval  of  «ener«l  HookW  T  ^^^^'^^  "^''eved  by 
conduct.  captSn  'l^lw-  wS  .V*.  **  ^»««q«ence  of  hii 
a^oritv.     \         *^'*'^  ^*s  afterwards  promoted  tiS 

enterprize,  and  dwCed  „»??'>  I^^^vered  in^ij 
name  of  Pamitaria',  toln   .■f/"'*  '•*»»  known  by  ft. 
Th«  party  „,dej  ■   '»  *n««  they  had  fled  for  sheltoJ. 
some  pUcea  to  the  waiat^*  **»"?  %  wveral  mile,^ 


■nw 


0 


76 


mSTORT  OF  THE  WAR. 


■''.■'■ 


lihirtj-irst  of  October,  aftel'  an  absence  of  only  thirteen} 
flays. 

Lieutenant-colonel  Campbell  of  the  19th  U.  S.  infantry, 
was,  about  the  same  time,  detached  against  the  towns 
on  the  Mississinewa  river,  a  branch  of  the  Wabash.  A 
town,  inhabited  by  Delawares  and  Miamisj  was  surprised 
on  the  seventeenth  of  November  5  upwards  of  tliirty  per- 
sons were  taken  prisoners,  and  eight  warriours  Killed. 
The  next  morning,  at  day-light,  a  furious  attack  was- 
made  on  ii\e  American  camp ;  major  Ball,  with  his  dra- 
goons, sustained  the  onset  for  some  time;  -but  a  well  di- 
rected fire  from  captain  Butler's  "  Pittsburgh  volunteers,'*' 
eompelled  the  enemy  to  give  way.  Captain  Trotter,  of 
the  Lexington  troop  of  horse,  charged,  and  the  Indians 
precipitately  fled.  Cap^in  Pearce,of  the  Zansville  troop, 
was,  unfortunately,  killed  in  the  pursuit.  Lieutenant 
Waltz,  of  the  PennsyLvani&  volunteers,,  was  also  kilkd; 
The  officers  particularly  named  on  th6  occasion  wereliett- 
tenant  colonel  Simn^eral,  major  M*D6well,  captains  Mar« 
kle,  McClelland,  Oerrard  and  Hopkins.  The  loss  in  kill- 
e#on  the  part  of  the  assailants,  amounted  tp  forty,  and 
on  our  Pftrt^to  eightkilled  and  about  thirty  wounded.  Se- 
tefai  or  their  villages  were  atterwards  destroyed. 

Besides  these  anairs^  there  were  a  number  of  less 
moment,  in  which  t^e  militia  of  Indiana,  Illinois^  and 
Missouri  territories,  greatly  distinguished  themselves. 
The  Indians  were  so  much  harassed,  that  they  began 
seriously  to  repent  of  having  taken  Up  the  war-club  so 
hastily ;  and  their  sufferings,  during  the  succeeding  win- 
ter, were  n*lt  likely  to  produce  any  change  of  feeling 
towards  those  who  had  thus  urged  them  to  encounter  their 
Own  ruin.  The  security  of  the  frontier  from  the  mur- 
derous scalping  knife  of  the  savage,  was  thusj  in  a  great 
measure)  effected.  The  Indians  would  be  compelled  to 
remove  to  the  distant  British  establishments  for  suste- 
nance, during  the  winter,  since .  their  means  of  subsis* 
tence  were  cut  OflT.  As  to  the  loss  of  their  huts  or  wig- 
wams, that  waS  a  matter  of  little  consequence  to  tliem ; 
a  few  days  being  sufficient  to  re-construct  them.  But 
by  their  being  thus  driven  to  a  distance^  witii  their  wi,>'eB 


al 

si 


^^K 

H^ 

K'a 

^pr 

a^H^I 

Biu 

Kr 

K 

t  H 

Hr^ 

/■ 


"mmimi'-  --^^^ 


pppipl 


HISTORY  OF  THE  WAR. 


n 


r  thirteen^ 

infantry, 
he  towns 
ibash.  A 
surprised 
hirty  per- 
irs  Killed, 
ttack  was 
h  hisdra- 
a  welldt- 
iunteers,"' 
trotter,  of 
a  Indians 
^ille  troop, 
lieutenant 
aso  kilkd; 
were  llett- 
tains  Mar- 
OSS  in  kill- 
forty,  and 
nded.  Se- 
ed. 

ir  of  less 
Inois^  and 
lemselves, 
ey  began 
ar-club  so 
idinff  win- 
of  fueling 
nter  their 
the   mur- 
in  a  great 
pel  led  to 
or  suste- 
if  subsis- 
ts or  wig- 
|to  them ; 
sm.     But 
iir  wijes 


and  children>  they  ajrere  prevented  frora  annoying  the 
settlerS)  with  their  fiend-liKe  warfare.     Many  a  peaceful, 
settler  was  saved  from  their  midnight  attacks ;  and  <'  the 
slumbers  of'the  cradle**- were  protected  from  the  savage 
S'waf-hpop.  .       > 


'■U 


'm 


CHAPTER  IV, 

p^roops  on  the  Canada  froiiUer — Capture  of  the  Caledonia 
— Battle  of  ^leenstown,  and  the  deuUi  qf  Gen,  Brock-^ 
Bombardment  of  J^Tiagana-'-Jihoriive  attempt  of  Otiu 
Smyth — J^orthem  Army^^First  Cruise  of  Commodore 
CluLuncey* 

Lt  is  now  time  to  turn  our  attention  to  the  Northern  fron- 
Her,  that  we  may  take  a  view  of  the  occurrences  on  that 
ctensive  line,  from  Niagara  down  the  St«  Lawrence.  To- 
rards  the  close  of  the  year,  our  forces  hiid  chiefly  concen- 
I'ated  in  two  bodies;  one  near  Lewistown,  consisting  of 
bme  regulars  r>ewly  enl,isted,  and  militia,  amounting  to 
bur  thousand  men,  nnder  general  Van  .Rensselaer,  of  New - 
[ork;  the  other,  in  the  neighbourhood  of  Plattsburs  and 
"rreenbush,  under  the  commander  in  chief,  general  Dear- 
>rne.|  At  Black  Rock,'at  O^ensburg,  aiid  Sackett's  H|r* 
lur,  some  regulars  and  lonilitia  were  also  stationed.  Dur- 
Ig  the  summer  and  autumn,  a  number  df  volunteer  coma 
mies  had  marched  to  the  borders,  as  also  the  new  re- 
nts, as  fast  as  they  could  be  ehlisted.  Bodies  of  regulars 
Ire  distributed  in  each  of  these  places,  with  officers  of 
lerience,  for  tlie  purpose  of  drilling  the  raw  troops  as 
5y  arrived.    It  was  expected  that  before  the  month  of 
|tober,  everything  would  be  made  ready  for  k  formidable 
rasion  of  Canada.    Considerable  disappointio.ent  was, 
^ever,  experienced,  in  consequence  ot  the  refusal  of  the 
:rnours  of  Massachusetts,  New -Hampshire^  and  Con- 
feticut,  to  permit  the  militia  of  those  states  tA  march  nn. 


\,    t 


\  ' 


# 


ft 


HISTORY  OF  THE  WAR. 


der  the  requisition  of  the  President,  on  the  ^ound  of  thein 
being  the  proper  judges,  under  the  constitution,  of  the  exi> 
sency  which  might  require  them ;  and  as  thej  were  not 
fi-iendty  to  the  war,  and  particularly  so  to  rendering  it 
ofiensive,  they  felt  no  disposition  to  wave  their  priviie^s. 
Other  constitutional  objections  were  also  urged,  which  it  is 
scarcely  necessary  to  mention.  As  the  militia  in  those 
stages  was  better  disciplined,  aAd  more  effective,  than  any 
in  the.  Union,  their  absence  was  severely  felt.  It  is  highly 
I  re  jible,  that  had  there  been  a  full  co-operation  on  the 
|M  '  i  c  iHese  states,  with  the  views  of  liie  general  govern- 
it.  \t^i\iA  Upper  Canada,  at  least,  would  have  fallen  in- 
to  our  haiu!: ,  in  the  course  of  the  first  campaign.  Military 
stores  had  been  collected  at  diflferent  points,  and  general 
Dearborne,  who  had  been  appointed  in  consequence  of  his 
experience  in  the  revolutionary  war,  was  actively  engaged, 
with  the  assistance  of  such  officers  as  Pike,  Boyd  and 
Scott,  in  drilling,  disciplining,  and  organizing  his  army. 
General  Smyth,  who  was  considered  an  able  tactitian,  was 
similarly  engaged.  Between  ei^ht  and  ten  thousand  men 
were  collected  along|this  extensive  line,  and  it  was  hoped 
that  something  might  still  be  done.  Skilful  officers  of  the 
navy  were  also  despatched,  for  the  purpose  of  arming  ves« 
sels  on  lake  Erie,  Ontario,  and  Champlain,  in  order  if  pos- 
sible to  gain  the  ascendency  there,  and  to  aid  the  opera- 
tions ofour  forces.  The  army  under  the  command  of 
Van  Rensselaer,  was  called  the  arniy  of  the  Centre,  to 
distinguish  it  from  that  of  Harrison.  That  uiider  the  im- 
mediate command  of  general  Dearborne}  the  army  of  the 
North. 

About  the  beginning  of  October,  an  action  was  achieved 
by  lieutenant  Elliot,  who  had  arrived  on  lake  Erie,  for 
the  purpose  of  superintending  the  naval  equipments,  which 
roused  the  attention  of  the  army  of  the  centre,  and  ex* 
cited  a  general  emulation  to  do  something  woruiy  of  no- 
tice. On  the  morning  of  the  eighth,  the  British  ^rig  De- 
troit, formerly  the  Adams,  surrendered  by  Hull,  and  the 
brig  Caledonia,  came  down  from  Maiden,  and  anchored 
under  the  guns  of  fort  Erie,  nearly  opposite  Black  Rock ; 
filliot  conceived  the  idea  of  attacking  them^  and  sent  an 


:ll 


-WWIP* 


»v>v.i*>.fei^r-'-*V' 


m 


i«PpM 


m^ 


HISTORY  0*  THE  WAft. 


r$ 


ound  of  theiv 
m,  of  the  exi* 
By  were  not 
rendering  it 
ir  privile^s. 
d,  which  it  is 
itia  in  those 
ive,  thai?  any 
.  It  is  highly 
ition  on  the 
leral  govern- 
ive  fallen  in- 
gn.  Military 
,  and  general 
pence  of  his 
ely  engaged, 
s.  Boyd  and 
ng  his  army, 
actitian,  waa 
lousand  men 
it  was  hoped 
fficers  of  the 
armineves* 
order  if  pos- 

the  opera- 
command  of 

Centre,  to 
der  the  im- 

rmy  of  the 

achieved 
Erie,  for 

fnts,  which 

f  and  ex* 

hvof  no- 

b'rig  De- 

[I,  and  the 
anchored 

|ck  Rock; 
sent  an 


•  ii 


1 

fl 


,)ress  to  hasten  the  seamen,  then  on  the  way,  aiid 

fh'o,  about  fifty  in  number,  arrived  in  the  evening,  wea- 

'  id  with  a  march  of  five  hundred  miles.     Allowing  them 

itil  twelve  at  night  for  repose,  he  then  embarked  in 

its  with  about  fifty  volunteers,    who  joined  him,  find, 

)ssing  the  river,  slipped  down  to  the  brigs ;  in  an  instant 

was  on  board,  and  drove  the  British  below.    In  ten 

mutes  afterwards,  he  was  under  weigh.    But  the  wind 

being  sufiiciently  strong  to  bear  them  against  the 

rrent,  they  were  botii  run  aground  ;  the  Caledonian, 

Las  to  be  protected  by  the  batteries  of  Black    ock ;  but 

[  Detroit,  after  being  bravely  defended,  uni.:l  h    onsi- 

ible  part  of  the  miliary  stores  on  board  w  'e  sccriredy 

set  on  fire  and  destroyed.  ^  The  Caleaonian  waft 

m  with  furs  to  the  amount  of  ijiO,000  dollars.    This 

eflfected  with  the  loss  of  only  two  killed,  and  four 

inded. 

This  affair,  having  kindled  the  ardour  of  ti.ti  Americans 

le  army  of  the  centre,  they  demanded  to  be  led  to  the 

Sioh  of  Canada,  and  some  of  the  volunteers  threat- 

to  return  home,  unless  their  wishes  were  complied 

But  this  was  not  the  ardour  of  veterans,  well 

^nted  with  the  dangers  to  be  encountered,  and  des- 

them ;  it  was  the  inconsiderate  rashness  of  inexpe- 

i  men,  rea^  to  anticipate  the  proper  moment,  but 

jsesing  the  firmness  to  persevere  when  surrounded 

icustoined  terrours.    AfteV  a  conference  with  gene- 

~»yth  and  Hall,  general  Van  Rensselaer  resolved  to 

1  attack  on  the  heights  of  Queenstown.    From  th« 

ition  he  could  collect,  the  enemy's  force  had  been 

idrawn  off"  for  the  defence  ot  Maiden,  as  it  was 

>d,  under  the  command  of  general  Brock,  who  had 

iterritory  of  Michigan  under  the  government  of 

f^Froctor,  until  he  could  organize  a  force  46  return 

his  place  be  possessed  by  our  troops,  they  would 

Itered  from  the  approaching  inclemency  of  the 

amd  the  operations  of  the  Western  army  much  faci- 

Accordingly,atfour  in  the  morning  of  the  llth, 

iidst  of  a  dreadful  northeast  storm,  and  Keavr 

attempt  waa  made  to  pass  the  river  j  butawii^ 


f4 


inSTORY  OF  THE  WAR. 


to  the  darkness  of  the  night,  and  various  unforseen  acei- 
dents,  the  passage  could  not  be  eflfected. 

This  failure  but  served  to  increase  the  impatience  of 
the  troops,  who  became  almost  ungovernable.  Orders 
were  despatched  to  general  Smyth,  to  advance  with  hia 
corpd,  as  another  attempt  would  be  made  on  Queenstown. 
Every  arrangement  was  rapidly  made,  and  early  on  the 
morning  of  the  thirteenth,  the  troops  embarked,  under  the 
cover  of  the  American  battenes.  The  force  designated 
to  storm  the  heights,  was  divided  into  two  columns ;  one 
of  three  hundred  militia,  under  colonel  Van  Rensselaer, 
the  other  of  three  hundred  regulars,  under  colonel  Chri3> 
tie.  These  were  to  be  followed  by  colonel  Kenwick*s  ar- 
tillery, and  then  the  other  troops  in  order.  The  British, 
in  the  meanwhile,  anticipating  this  attack,  had  obtained 
considerable  reinforcements  from  Fort  George,  and  if 
necessary,  could  be  still  further  assisted  by  general 
Brock,  who,  it  now  appeared,  commanded  at  that  place. 
At  daylight,  as  soon  as  the  approach  of  the  Americana 
oould  oe  discovered,  a  shower  of  musketry  and  grape 
•pened  from  the  whole  line  on  the  Canada  shore,  and 
was  returned  by  our  batteries,  with  the  addition  of  two 
sixes,  which,  after  an  extraordinary  effort,  lieutenant 
colonel  Scott  had  brought  to  their  assistance  from  the  Falls 
of  Niagara.  The  fire  of  the  enemy,  and  the  eddies  in  the 
fiver,  produced  considerable  embarrassment,  in  conse- 
quence of  which,  lieutenant  colonel  Christie,  who  was 
wounded  by  a  grape  shot  in  the  hand,  and  colonel  Mula- 
ney,  fell  below  the  intended  point,  and  were  obliged  to 
return.  Colonel  Van  Rensselaer,  who  commanded  the 
whole,  and  who  led  the  van,  reached  the  shore,  with  only 
one  hundred  men,  in  the  midst  of  a  most  galling  fire.  He 
Md  scarcely  leaped  on  land,  when  he  received  four 
severe  wounds,  which  retarded' the  onset.  This  gallant 
officer,  being  still  able  to  stand,  though  suflfering  the  most 
excruciating  pain,  ordered  his  men  to  move  rapidly  up 
the  heights.  Captain  O&ilvie  assumed  the  command, 
seconded  by  captain  Wool,  who  was  also  wounded,  and 
followed  by  lieutenants  Kearney,  Carr,  Hi^inan,  Som- 
m«rsy  aod  ensign  Keeve  of  the  tlurteenth*  Xieutenantft 


I 


<i 


HISTORY  OF  THE  WA^.. 


r* 


I  acei* 

snce  of 
[)rder« 
ith  hra 
stown. 
on  the 
iler  the 
ignated 
18 ;  one 
iselaer, 
1  Chria- 
ck's  ar- 
British, 
ibtained 
and    if 
general 
t  place, 
lericana 
il  grape 
re,  and 
I  of  two 
tutenant 
he  Falls 
s  in  the 


*!l 


K 

■r 
■I 


Gansevoort  and  Randolph,  ascended  the  rocks  to  the  right 

•f  the  fort,  gave  three  cheers,  and  after  several  desperate 

^  chains,  at  the  head  of  a  handful  of  men,  carried  the 

^  heights,  and  drove  the  enemy  down  the  hill  in  every 

direction.    The  enemv  retreated  behind  a  large  stone 

%  house,  and  kept  up  their  fire ;  but  their  batteries,  with  tho 

'^  exception  of  one  gun,  were  silenced.    The  detachment 

Ivnder  colonel  Christie,  on  his  second  attempt,  now  landed* 

[Considerable  reinforcements  soon  after  arrived,  under 

iptains  Gibson,  M'Chesney,  and  Lawrence ;    and  colo- 

lels  Mead,  8trahan,  Allen,  and  other  militia  officers. 

I^bout  this  time  general  Brock  arrived  in  person^  with 

he  forty-ninth  regiment,  six  hundred  strong.    Perceiving 

Mn  approaching  to  the  rear  of  the  battery,  captfiin  WooL 

|bo  commanded  at  this  point,  ordered  a  detachment  of 

put  one  hundred  and  sixty  men  ^o  charge.  The  detach* 

int  was  driven  back^  but  being  reinforced,  charged  a 

}nd  time.    ISncountering  a  great  superiority  of  num- 

i,  they  were  again  repulsed,  and  on  the  point  of  being 

ren  tothe  very  ver^e  of  the  precipice  j  when  the  officer^ 

lidering  the  situation  hopeless,  placed  a  white  haud» 

phief  on  the  point  of  a  bayonet,  in  token  of  ^Ibudssiouy 

'^h  was  instantly  torn  away  by  captain  Wool,  who 

■-^d  tl^e  men  to  stand  their  ground.    At  this  instant, 

il  Christie  advanced  with  a  reinforcement,  which 

ised  the  number  of  the  detachment  to  three  hundred 

Iwenty.    This  officer  now  led  on  a  desperate  charge, 

Completely  succeeded  in  putting  to  flight  a  regiment 

'  his  numbers,  and   bearing  the  name  of  invinci- 

^General  Brock,  exasperated  at  this  conduct,  endea* 

'  to  rally  them,  when  he  received  three  balls,  which 

tted  his  existence ;  his  aid,  captain  McDonald,  at 

l^e  instant  falling  by  his  side,  mortally  wounded. 

Ip'clock,  general   Wadsworth  of  the  militia,  and 

i  Scott  and  Mulaney  crossed  over.    Captain  Wool 

jeen  ordored  to  retire  to  have  his  wounds  dressed, 

Iturned  :o  the  action.    The  forty-ninth  being  re- 

ind  the  British  commander  having  fallen,  the  vic- 

» thought  to  be  complete,  and  general  Van  Rensse- 

»8ed  over,  for  the  purpose  of  immediately  fortit 


# 


76 


IIISTORV  OP  THE  WAR; 


fving  a  camp,  to  prepare  afininst  future  attacks,  should 
the  enemy  be  reinforced.  This  duty  he  assigned  to  Heir> 
.tenant  Totten,  an  able  engineer. 

The  fortune  of  the  da^  was  not  yet  decided.  At  three 
o'clock,  the  enemy  hiving  rallieif,  and  beinv  reinforced 
hy  several  hundred  Chippewa  Indians,  again  advanced 
;to  the  attack.  A  t  first,  our  men  were  disposed  to  faiilter, 
but  being  animated  by  such  leaders  as  colonel  Christie 
and  colonel  Seott,  marehed  boldly  to  the  charge,  and  at 
ihe  point  of  the  bayonet,  oac^  more  compelled  the  British, 
V'ho  were  now  the  assailants,  to  retire.  This  was  the 
third  victory  gained  since  morning,  and  had  the  contest 
ended  here,  it  would  have  been  one  of  the  most  eloriou» 
for  our  country.  General  Van  Rensselaer  perceiving  that 
the  men  on  the  opposite  side  embarked  but  slowly,  and 
learing  another  conflict,  re-crossed  for  the  purpose  of  ex- 
|KKliting  their  departure.  But  what  was  his  astonish- 
mentj  on  reaching  the  American  side,  when  he  found  that 
they  positively  refused  to  embark  \  Mere  than  twelve 
l^undred  men  under  arms,  were  drawn  up  on  the  bank, 
where  thcg  remained  as  idle  spectators  of  the  scene,  and 
neither  commands  nor  entreaties  could  prevail  on  them 
to  move.  Thej  refused  to  do  so  on  the  ground  of  con- 
stitntional  privilege  $  the  same  men,  who  a  few  days  he- 
fore  had  expressed  so  much  impatience,  that  their  ardour 
was  restrained.  It  seems  that  this  boiling  ardour  had 
already  been  cooled,  by  what  they  had  witnessed  on  the 
opposite  shore. 

At  four  o'clock,  the  British  being  reinforced  by  <iight 
hundred  men  from  Fort  George,  renewed  the  engagement 
with  fresh  vigour.  General  Van  Rensselaer,  perceiiiing 
that  our  men  were  now  almost  exhausted  with  fatigue, 
their  ammunition  nearly  spent,  was  compelled,  under 
the  most  painful  sensations,  to  address  a  note  to  general 
Wadsworth,  communicating  the  unexpected  circum- 
stance) and  giving  him  permission  to  consult  his  own 
judgment,  and  at  the  same  time  despatched  a  number  of 
boats,  that  in  case  it  should  be  so  resolved,  hft  might  re- 
turn with  his  troops  to  the  American  side.  A  desperate 
contest  soon  followed;  which  was  kept  up  for  half  an  haavf 


(. 


Mi4M« 


-.?s;K--S*a^' 


■Y^^yfmmFM 


HISTORY  OF  THE  WAH. 


tr 


Vy  a  continued  discbarge  of  musketry  and  artillery,  when 
our  troops  were  gradually  overpowered  by  numbers,  their 
strength  rapidly  declined,  and  their  hope:*  were  subdued 
by  the  information  they  had  by  this  time  received.  The 
militia  attempted  to  re*embark,  but  in  this  tbey  were  fru»> 
trated.  It  bein^  iiupussible  to  hold  out  any  longer,  an4 
more  overcome  by  the  apathy  of  their  couhtrymen,  who 
stood  looking  coldly  on,  than  by  the  strength  of  their  foes, 
they  at  length  surrendered  themselves  prisoners  of  war* 
During  the  greater  part  of  the  engagement  with  the  jast 
reinforcement,  the  regulars,  not  more  than  two  hundred 
and  fifty  in  number,  bore  the  brunt  of  the  action  entirely 
alone.  The  prisoners  were  generally  treated  well  by 
the  British,  but  they  imposed  no  restraint  on  their  alliesy 
who  proceeded  immediately  to  the  work  of  stripping  and 
scalping  the  slain,  and  even  many  of  ^ne  wounded. 
Amongst  other  indignities  which  these  wretches  were  nut 
restrained  from  committing,  were  those  ottered  to  the 
body  of  ensign  Morris,  brother  to  our  naval  hero.  Con- 
trasted with  this,  it  is  worthy  of  being  mentioned,  that 
the  suns  of  the  American  fort  were  fired  during  the  fu- 
neral ceremony  of  general  Brock,  a  brave  and  gener- 
enemy.     Even  savages,  had  tliey  chosen  to'inquire- 


ous 


of. 


the  meaning  of  this,  ought  to  have  learned  a  lesson 
humanity,  their  civilized  allies  could  not  teach. 

Every  officer  who  crossed  the  river,  it  is  said,  distin- 
euished  himself.  Colonel  Scott,  afterwards  so  justly  cele- 
brated, continued  the  greater  part  of  the  day  in  the  hot- 
^test  of  the  fight,  and  although  dressed  in  uniform,  and  of 
la  tall  and  elegant  stature^  did  not  receive  the  slightest 
[wound.    Several  Indians  afterwards  declared  that  they 
bad  taken  deliberate  aim  at  him.    A  volunteer  company 
if  riflemen  under  lieutenant  Smith,  who  took  prisoner  an 
'ndian  Chief,  when  the  enemy  rallied  a  second  time,  wat^ 
fiuc  distinguished.    Lieutenant  coloi.el  Fen  wick  wa« 
everely  wounded,  but  never  left  the  ground  during  the 
action.    Captains  Gibson,  Wool,  and  Vl«Che»ney,  were 
fcighly  complimented  by  the  general.    The  loss  of  the 
British  and  Indians  is  not  exactly  known;  our»must 
iv«  been  at  least  one  thousand  in  killed,  wounded  and 


m 


-^-wp'-H'i'— '^Wg»W^**'>1l" 


'"IP»»" 


^.ww» 


WW 


<II>B    '  :.       "•(W""**** 


»■ 


78 


mStORY  OF  THE  WAR. 


prisoners.    The  greater  part  of  the  prisoners  were  talcen 
to  Montreal. 

During  the  embarkation  of  the  troops  at  Lewistown,  a 
£re  was  opened  from  Fort  George  on  the  American  Fort 
Nj^ara,  which  was  returned  and  kept  up  during  the  day 
on  both  sides,  llie  battery  commanded  by  captain 
M'Keon,  which  was  manased  widi  ability,  set  fire  to  se- 
veral houses  near  the  Britisn  fort.  A  twelve  pounder  hap" 
pened  to  burst,  and  at  the  same  time  the  opposite  garri- 
son beginning  to  throw  shells,  captain  Leonard  thought  it 
prudent  to  l^ave  the  fort ;  but  soOn  after,  perceiving  the 
jSritish  about  to  cross,  he  returned  with  a  gtiard  of  twenty 
men,  and  kept  possession  during  the  ni^t.  The  next 
evening  he  was  joined  by  the  remainder  of  the  garrison. 
Three  days  afterwards  the  British  batteries  below  fort 
Erie,  opened  a  fire  on  the  camp  at  Bfack  Rock.  One  olr* 
ihe  barracks  was  destroyed  by  a  shell,  which  blew  up  the 
magazine,  but  no  lives  were  fost. 

The  garrison  of  Niagara,  having  been  considerably  re- 
inforced, was  again  attacked  on  the  twenty -first,  from  the 
batteries  of  Fort  Georgq;  These  places  are  situated 
Bearly  opposite  each  other^  and  at  the  entrance  of  the 
Niagara.  The  cannonading  continued  from  sun  rise* 
until  dark,  the  enemy  throwin«^  upwards  of  three  thou* 
"sami  red  hot  shot,  and  upwards  of  two  hundred  shells;: 
several  of  the  barracks  and  adjoining  buildings  were 
'^red,  but,  through  the  indefatigable  exertions  of  major 
,Armistead,  of  the  United  States  artillery,  the  fire  was 
vepeatedly  extinguished.  Colonel  M>Feelejr,  who  com- 
manded the  fort,  ordered  the  different  batteries  to  open^ 
and  the  enemy's  fire  was  returned  with  interest.  Seve- 
ral houses  in  Newark,  and  about  the  fort,  were  burnt ;  a 
schooner  lying  under  its  guns  was  sunk,  and  one  of  their 
Wteries  for  a  time  completely  silenced.  Captain 
H*Keon  commanded  in  ^e  south-east  block  house,  and 
«aptain  Jack,  of  the  militia  artillery,  in  the  north-east, 
Utie  situation  most  exposed.  The  different  batteries 
'  "Were  commanded  by  lieutenants  Rees  and  Hendal,  both 
ef  which  were  very  destructive.  Lieutenant  Gansevoort 
oommaaded  the  Salt  battery }  Doctor  Cooper^  of  the  miU- 


-«■ ,  «i 


toSTORY  OF  THE  WAlt. 


T9 


rs  were  tslk^ii 


tia  had  the  command  of  a,  six-pounder.  Lieutenant 
Uees  having  been  wounded,  his  place  was  taken  by  cap- 
tain Leonard,  during  the  remainaer  of  the  day.  During 
this  severe  bombardment,  we  had  only  four  killed,  and  a 
small  number  wounded,  among  whom  was  lieutenant 
Thomas,  Colonel  M^Feeley  spoke  in  high  terms  of 
colonel  Gray,  major  Armistead,  captain  Mulligan,  and 
all  the  other  officers  and  men.  Such  was  their  ardour, 
that  havitig  expended  their  wadding,  the  officers  tore  off 
their  shirti  and  the  soldiers  their  pantaloons,  to  be  used 
for  that  purpose.  An  extraordinary  instance  of  female 
bravery  oecuretl  on  this  occasion.  The  wife  of  a  common 
soldier,  of  the  name  of  Doyle,  taken  prisoner  at  Queens- 
town,  and  carried  to  Montreal,  determined  to  revenge 
the  treatment  of  her  husband,  volunteered  her  services, 
and  obtained  permission  to  assist  at  one  of  the  batteries, 
where  she  continued  to  serve  hot  shot  until  the  last  gun- 
was  fired,  although  the  enemy 'is  shells  continually  fell^ 
a  ''ound  her,  and  every  moment  threatened  destruction. 

Shortly  after  the  unfortunate  battle  of  Queenstown, 
General  Van  R^isselaer  resigned  the  command,  whicb 
devolved  on  brigadier  general  Smyth,  of  the  United 
States  army.  General  Smyth  announced  his  determina- 
tion of  retrieving  the  honour  of  the  American  arms,  by 
another  attempt  on  the  British  batteries  and  entrench- 
ments on  the  opposite  side.  He  conceived  that  the  for- 
mer attack  had  not  been  conducted  with  judgment,  in 
the  selection  of  the  point  of  debarkation,  directly  in  the 
face  of  their  batteries,  whereas  it  ou^ht  to  have  been  be* 
tween  fort  Erip  and  Chippewa.  This  he  had  at  first  re* 
commended  to  general  Van  Rensselaer,  and  to  the  ne- 

?;lect  of  his  intimatiou  he  attributed  the  failure  of  tht 
uriner  attempt.  Having  now  the  sole  command,  and  be- 
ing at  liberty  to  carry  into  execution  his  own  plan,  he  set 
about  preparing  a  force  for  the  purpose  ;  that  which  he 
then  had  under  his  command  being  insufficient.  As  the 
most  effectual  mode  to  accomplish  tiiis,  he  issued  a  procla- 
mation appealing  to  the  publick  feeling  and  patriotism  of 
the  American  people,  and  inviting  volunteers  from  every 
f)art  of  the  country.    Every  topick  which  could  iufluelkct 


D'XMD 


mmiifmmf''<'''mmmmmfiifi(^ 


1 


I 


8» 


HISTORY  OP  THE  WAR. 


the  hearts  and  minds  of  the  people,  was  strongly  urged  ^ 
they  were  reminded  of  the  exploits  of  their  ancestoj-s  of 
the  revolution  ;  of  the  little  honour  which  had  thus  far  at- 
tended the  prosecution  of  the  war ;  the  recent  failure,  and 
the  disgraceful  surrender  of  Hull.  They  were  told  that 
even  the  Indians  of  the  friendly  six  nations  had  offered 
their  services,  hat  that,  through  regard  to  the  cause  of 
humanity,  he  had  refused  to  follow  a  disgiraceful  example, 
by  letting  loose  these  barbarous  warriours-upon  the  in- 
habitant^ of  Canada.  Hi-  then  addressed  himself  particu- 
larly to  the  **  Men  of  New-York,"  appealing  to  their  pa- 
triotism, calling  on  them  to  retrieve  the  late  disaster, 
and  at  the  same  time,  by  this  step,  secure  their  wives 
and  children  from  the  predatory  and  murderous  incur- 
sions of  the  savage.  This  address  was  well  calculated 
to  reach  the  feelings  of  the  moment,  although  excentrick  in 
its  style,  and  in  some  respects  reprehensible,  particularly 
tn  the  reflections  indulged  at  the  expense  of  others. 
Moreover,  it  w<is  not  dictated  by  prudence  as  respected 
himself ;  for  in  case  of  a  possible  failure,  he  would  na- 
turally be  exposed  to  ridicule,  for  what  would  then  turn 
out  a  pompous  and  inflated  rhodomontade.  It  was,  how- 
ever, not  without  some  effect,  particularly  when  seconded 
by  an  animated  proclamation  from  general  Porter,  of  the 
New-York  militia.  About  the  27th  of  November-  up- 
wards of  four  thousand  five  hundred  men,  consisting  of 
regulars,  and  the  volunteers  from  Pennsylvania,  New- 
York  and  Baltimore,  were  collected  at  fiunaloe ;  and  the 
officers  were  actively  engaged  in  drilling,  equipping,  and 
organizing  them  for  the  intended  enterprise. 

Seventy  boats,  and  a  number  of  scows,  were  prepar- 
td  for  the  reception  of  the  army,  tliat  they  might  be  at 
once  transported  to  the  Canadian  shore ;  but  preparato- 
ry to  the  principal  attack,  two  detachments,  one  un- 
der colonel  Boerstler,  and  another  under  captain  King, 
received  orders  to  pass  over  before  dav  ;  the  first  to  des- 
troj  abridge,  about  five  miles  beiow  ^ort  Erie,  and  cap- 
ture the  guard  stationed  there  j  the  other  to  storm  the 
British  batteries  Before  they  reached  the  opposite  shore,. 
ihe  ofiemy  opened  » heavy  fire^  the  fint  d«ia«kii^a| 


/ 


■■^■■mmm^f 


HISTORY  OF  THE  WAH^ 


Bt 


haded  and  took  some  prisoners,  but  failed  in  destroying 
the  bridge.  The  other,  under  captain  Kin^,  landed 
higher  up  at  the  Red  House,  drove  the  enemy,  and  then 
advanced  to  their  batteries,  which  they  stormed,  and 
then  spiked  the  cannon.  Lieutenant  An^us,  with  a 
number  of  marines,  accidentally  separated  from  cap* 
tain  King,  and  no  reinforcements  arriving  from  the  op- 

Eosite  side,  they  concluded  that  King  and  his  party  had 
een  taken  prisoners,  and  therefore  returned.  The  par- 
ty of  King,  now  consisting  of  seventeen,  besides  cap- 
tains Morgan  and  Sprowl,  and  five  other  oflBcers,  was 
in  full  possession  or  the  works,  while  the  enemy  was 
completely  dispersed.  Finding,  at  length,  that  they 
could  not  expect  to  be  supported,  they  resolved  to  re- 
turn ;  but  one  boat  could  be  found  to  transport  them  all  j 
captains  Sprowl  and  Morgan  passed  over  with  the  pri- 
soners, leaving  captain  Kinw,  who  was  soon  after,  with 
his  small  party,  surrounded  and  taken  prisoner.  On 
the  return  of  captain  Sprowl,  colonel  Winder  was  or- 
dered to  pass  over  with  about  three  hundred  men.  He 
instantly  em  marked,  and  led  the  van.  His  own  boat  was 
the  only  one  which  touched  the  opposite  shore,  tho 
ethers  having  been  swept  down  by  the  swiftness  of  the 
current;. 

From  vaiious  causes  the  embarkation  of  the  main  body 
was  retarded  much  beyond  the  appointed  time,  so  that 
at  twelve  o'clock  in  the  day,  about  two  thousand  men 
were  at  last  ready  to  move.  General  Tannehill*s  volun- 
teers, and  colonel  M*Clure's  regiment,  were  drawn  up 
ready  for  a  second  embarkation.  The  enemy  by  this 
time  had  collected  on  the  opposite  shore,  and  appeared 
ready  to  receive  them.  The  departure  of  our  troops  was, 
in  the  most  unaccountable  manner,  delayed  until  late  in 
the  afternoon,  when  orders  were  giveti  to  debark.  Much 
murmuring  and  discontent  ensued  ;  which  were  in  some 
measure  silenced,  by  assurances  tliat  anotlier  atten^pt 
would  be  made.  It  was  now  resolved  to  land  about  five 
I  miles  below  the  navy  yard  ;  am!  accordingly,  on  Monday 
evening,  the  thirty-ninth,  all  the  boats  were  collected  for 
tho  purpose.     The  whole  body,  with  the  exception  of 


^.^0^-  •^' 


12 


HISTORY  OF  THE 


i^'A!:. 


Wn'Ty  ' 


/"•>• 
^»^'' 


•bout  two  hundred  man 

obedience,  and  aftS-dinl  evJll  h""'"'   f'^*  «»-d«'-  and 
Jh'ng  was  wanting  bul  fhe  ^^^'^^P*  ""^  «"c<^m.     No. 
jcme  delajr,  ordel  were  *  hTI  *"  '.""^*^5  when,  after 
*?Jand,  accompanierwith"^t"^  8r^«n  '«»•  the %ho?e 
««"  of  Canadk  was  rivl*  ^^^^''r*^'^"'  ^hat  the  invi! 
arrangements  werT  mfd^*  *'''^'  •^'*'  ^^^^  «^«son-  while 
^ne  universal  ex^48^n«f*^^^  '^*^   ^^"^^  quarters 
greater  part  of  tCminti«  ^'^'^^f^^*'"  '^"'•st  ft>?«i  rthe 
returned  to  their  home,  '*  threw  down  their,  arms   and 
»alij  threateneTthe^r^'of"!*''''"  ^«  remaiM  co„S„^ 
natrons  passed  between  hfij^^"*'*^'     ^.evere  r«crimi 
Jl^sed  hi|  of  cowlrdTe  and  "' S^^*  ft^*«^  ^v^oTc 
General  Smyth,  in  vindio"!"  Jr*'^^'';''^«  deportment, 
^e  had  posit  ,ve'  instruc  ions  1^^^      """u^^"*'  ^^%od  tTJi 
less  than  3000  men,  and  fh»rfl  *°  "'^  ^  ^"^asion  with 
^ot  exceed  fifteen  hundred       1 1^^^^'  ^'nbarked  did 
<ii.^at.sfaction  was  excited  fhr    V^u'  **  '*  ^^^7,  grelt 
vuhtary  reputation,  fS^^^^^      ^^^^  <^?"«*  S  anf  U. 
PubJick  estiWion.     ThTs  aftl'  T^'i  '^P'<^^7  cleclmed  ia 
jourable  aspect,  and  was  „«*"*, ^*'^  ctrtilnlv  an  unfe- 
%rs  in  general,'  but  exceedlnlr' J-  P^^^J^^^'^^af  to  our  afl 
^on     f  hrou^h'out  the  wltt^t^^^^^  th«  na- 

WnttaJIjr  suttenne  the  effrp*.    r     *'"®  ^''®»'"'  ^^  were  cnn 
eiice  in  war.    Every  tl^n  *'  ^^'^  ^"f  *«tal  want  of  2;Deri 
ttons,  and  to  dtaS^^o^^^^^^  '^  ^^%  our  cafcX 
"movements  ogainstcr^ralthT.'  P^^^i^^^^arlv  in  our 
ry  were  p.rfo%,ed  ho  V^ar!^^^^^ 

Jt  18    now  time  to    tu    i    nnr    ,/l      f"''  '"''^^^'»- 

•rmj    collecting  on  l\^:rderoTZ  ^"/'l  '^«''^^^^« 
"ut  little  was  dune  in  fh;.  ;  """  "'  '"«  &t.   Lavvrenc* 

troops  were  stationed  It  a^t  Zi'J"^  *  ""*"  '"""ber  "f 
«n«i  It  would  necessarirv  f"^  P"'"'  "'""S  «"«  f.ontier  ' 
fine  before  the  TiS  i  fiT,''"*'  *  <=!""''<''rable  leS„f 
or  the  regular  tr™„p" r„e:"t''^,l?t'''''*i  ""^  ""^chedf 

?;"itha\iri~'^^^^^^^^^^^^ 


* 


A<*^ 


teSTOUY  OF  THE  WAR. 


"^U 


to  our  troops  of  the  northwestern  army,  and  of  the  army 
of  the  centre,  which  might  then  move  down,  and  join 
those  on  the  St.  Lawi  ence,  and,  long  before  the  winter, 
the  war  would  be  carried  to  Montreal.  But  the  unex- 
pected and  lamentable  surrender  of  Hull,  produced  a  to- 
tal chaujge  in  the  situation  of  affairs.  It  was  not  until 
late  in  the  autumn,  that  any  thing  worthy  of  note  occur- 
red in  the  northern  army. 

On  the  Idth  of  September,  twenty-five  barges  of  the 
British  passed  up  the  St.  Lawrence,  and  were  attacke'"^ 
by  a  party  of  militia  from  C^densburg,  and  after  a  severe 
contest,  me  enemy  was  forced  to  abandon  their  boats,  and 
fly  for  shelter  to  the  woods*;  but  soon  aftef,  receiving  rein- 
forcements, they  compelled  the  militia  to  retire.    Some- 
time after  this,  captain  Forsyth  made  an  incursion  into 
I  tlie  enemy's  country,  with  a  party  of  his  riflemen,  and  af- 
[  ter  twice  defeating  a  body  of  regulars  of  superiour  num- 
[bers,  burnt  a  block-nouse,  containing  the  publick  stores^ 
[end  returned  with  the  loss  of  only  one  man.    In  revenge 
||br  that  attack,  the  British,  on  the  second  of  October,  de* 
irmined  to  attempt  the  destruction  of  O^densburg.     A 
leavy  fire  was  opened  from  the  breast  woncs,  at  the  vil- 
of  Prescott,  situated  nearly  opposite.    On  the  fourth, 
ley  attempted  tu  cross  the  St.  I^iwrence,  and  storm  the 
>wn,  and  embarked  in  forty  boats,  with  about  fifteen 
len  in  each  $  but  they  were  warmly  received  by  generid 
'rown,  of  the  New- York  militia,   who  commanded  here 
person.     A  sharp  action  continued  for  nearly  two 
»urs,  when  they  werd*  compelled  to  abandon  their  de« 
(n,  leaving  one  of  the  boats  in  our  hands,  and  suffering 
sunsiderabie  loss* 

Colonel  Pike,  to  whose  zeal  and  indefatigable  exeD> 

18,  the  army  was  even  at  this  time  much  indebted, 

the  nineteenth   passed  into  the  enemjr's   territory, 

prised  a  blockhouse  defended  by  a  considerable  body 

Kn^iish  and  Indians,  put  them  to  flight,  and  destroyed 

publick  stoi-es.    Skirmishes  like  tnese  were  not  un- 

|uent,  until  the  close  of  autumn,  and  even  occurred 

mg  the  winter  $  but  nothing  of  moment  transpired  in 

quar^ter,  until  tlie  begiuoing  of  the  year* 


HiSTOHy  OF  THE  WAR. 


4  "     "AlC, 

»er,  commodore  r\!t.^  "eutenant  WooIspv     i^A.' 

but  lost  »..\-,'„*';;:!"'«dlon  fell  inCh  the  R„„,  r 

,^'■.8  the  „ig^  h'^«.^^    George, 


IHSTORY  OP  TBB  WAR. 


m, 


iiu\  to  board  her;  but  the  wind  blowine  directly 
ie  enemy  being  too  well  protected  by  the  guns  of 
riesj^he  changed  his  intention.    The  next  morn- 
tt  up  in  good  order,  and  commenced  an  attack  on 
[l  George,  under  a  heavy  fire  both  from  this  ship 
i  the  natteries.    The  Conquest,  the  Julia,   th« 
the  Gro'^ler,  pushed  forward  in  succession ;  af- 
Uie  brig  General  Hamilton,  and  tlie  Governour 
U ;  shortly  after,  the  whole  fire  of  the  batteries 
led  upon  the  brig,  and  continued  hot  on  both 
hour,  when  the  Royal  George  cut  her  cables, 
^  ler  up  the  bay.    The  sc^uadron  being  now  ex- 
le  cross  fire  of  the  battenes,  and  not  deeming 
to  pursue  the  Royal  George,  hauled  oflf  to. the 
made  sail  out  of  the  bay.    'I  his  was  certainly 
ring  exploit,  and,  to  say  the  least  of  it,  merited 
The  Koyal    George  suifered  severely  in  her 
shot  from  the  gun  vessels  struck  her  frequently, 
•  loss  of  commodore  Chauncey  was  very  incon- 
.    The  commander  of  "the  Pert,   Arundel,   was 
by  the  bursting  of  her  gun,  but  refusing  to  quit 
,  was  knocked  overboard  and  drowned.    The 
>re  captured  a  schooner  oflf  the  harbour,  and  sent 
^ler  as  her  convoy  past  the  entrance,  for  the  pur- 
lecoying  the  Royal  Gtorge,  but  witiioul  success. 
1  sailed  with  her  prize  for  Sackett's  Harbour. 
ray  she  discovered  the  Prince  Regent  and  Earl 
convoying  a  sloop  to  Kingston  5  she  immediately 
ni  herselt  behind  a  point,  and  when  the  armed 
lad  passed,  she  ran  out  and  captured  the  schooner,  , 
ight  her  into  Sackett's  Harbour.   The  prize  had  oa 
2,'000  dollars  in  specie,  and  the  baggage  of  gene- 
:k,  with  captain  Brock,  the  brother  of  that  officfr. 
lore  Chauncey  soon  alter  arriving,  received  the 
jnce  respecting  the  Earl  Moira,  and  immediate- 
»ff  in  tlie  imdst  of  a  severe  storm,  to  intercept 
le  False  Ducks ;  but  returned  to  the  Harbour  witS- 
Ing  able  to  fall  in  with  her. 


n 


^'Petti 


"^^  o{  "ti^ess. 


'^^^^T^ij  ^. 


msa.3^d  naiil'^^'^^^Crell-i^^^^  the 


verir 


ice   of 


'^"■e'-.  ami  """»s«T  n  ^  '■ ""  «6r.    *  ""''on  '   Pf«ce,  it 
«o see  f   "'^•ne adrf    * "'roii/  ," ""e eae,„\,  "* Paitv ,„ 


tbe 
*/it 


^O-; 


^^''^, 

( 

ipon 

j 

iia- 

i 

.  r© 

f 

II*' 

p; 

f 

HISTORY  OF  THE  WAR. 


m 


;hat  the  government,  with  which  the  nation,  as 
others,  is  identified,  should  be  disgraced,  in 
at  the  power  may  be  transferred  to  better  hands* 
ould  not  be  the  maxim  of  Washington.  But  on 
ject  it  is  difficult,  if  not  impossible,  to  draw  the 
ine  oetween  a  manly  and  laudable  opposition  ta 
i  conceive  to  be  wrong,  and  such  intemperance  a& 
danger  the  character  and  safety  of  the  country, 
of  the  Eastern  States,  where  the  opposition  to  the 
most  violent,  it  was  voted  to  bd  immoral  and  im- 
to  rejoice  at  the  success  of  our  arms.;  of  Uiift'vote 
ir wards  became  ashamed,  and  ordered  it  to  be 
'rom  their  journals. 

adminisiration)  Boon  after  the  war,  had  mani" 
wish  for  the  restoration  of  peace,  codld  it  be 
sistently  with 'prudence.     About  the  time  of  the 
ion  of  war  in  this  country,  the  Prince  R^nt 
ealed  his  Orders  in  Counalj  one  of  the  princi|)al 
f  hostilities :  an^act,  which  was  by  no  means  dic« 
'  a  sense  of  whalt  waia  due  to  justice  and  to  us,  but 
rgency  of  the  particular  interests  of  Great  Britain, 
repealed  them,  he  considered  himself  entitled  to 
e  regard  as  if  they  had  been  expressly  repealed 
account,  and  demanded  that  hostilities,  on  our 
loiild  cease.    To  this  the  president  replied,  that 
ow  at  war,  the  Uii< ted  States  would  not  put  an 
ostilities^  unless  a  provision  were  made  for  a 
settlement  of  differences,  and  a  cessation  of 
inabie  practice  of  impressment,  pending  tiie  .ne- 
m.    In  the  mean  tinve,  a  law  would  b^  passed  for* 
le  employment  of  Britiiih  seamen  in  our  vesselSy 
soever  kind.    A  law  to  thiseftect  was  passed  dur* 
Qessiun. 

klv  after  the  commencement  of  tlie  war,  a  pro- 
tor  an  armistice  had  been  made  by  the  governouir 
Ida,  but  was  rejected  as  a  matter  of  course.    The 
can  minister  in  London,  was  authorised  to  agree 
ssation  of  hostilities,  even  on  the  unofficial  asauf- 
liat  the  practice  of  impressment  would  be  discon- 
b  duripj5  the  armistice.    This  was  rejected.   A  pro- 


'•muff 


m 

98 


HISTORY  OF  THE  WAR. 


position  was  afterwards  made  by  admiral  Warren,! 
which  required  as  a  preliminary  to  every  other  %\\ 
that  oar  armies  should  be  immediately  withdrawn,  andj 
orders  to  our  cruisers  recalled.    This  he  alleged,  ^va)l 
consequence  of  our  being  the  aggressors,  and  as  suchj 
became  us  to  take  the  first  step,  and  uncondition^ 
throw  down  our  arms.     Here  it  might  be  asked,  whet! 
tills  country  has  ever  e:cperieneed  so  much  good  faith  i 
forbearance  from  Great  Britain,  as  to  justify  such  c« 
dence  ?  But  was  she  not  the  aggressor,  by  her  own 
knowiedgment  ?  for,  by  the   repeal  of  the  Orders  j 
Council,  if  on  our  account,  she  acknowledged  her 
to  have  violated  our  neutral  rights.    Moreover,  iti 
well  known  tiiat  she  had,  at  that  moment,  more  i 
two  thousand  impressed  American  seamen,  confined] 
prisoners  of  war,  and  persisted  in  refusing  every  irranj 
inent  whidi  might  remedy  in  future  the  odioas  practice. ! 
strangely  inconsistent  are  the  pretexts  of  injustice.  Thel 
attempts  at  reconciliation  had  failed,  when  the  EmperJ 
of  Russia  interposed  his  mediation,  which,  on  the  parti 
our  government,  was  instantly  accepted :  on  being  \m 
jknown  to  England,  it  was  declined,  as  being  incompatii 
with  her  naval  interests;  but  she  professed  a  willingna 
to  enter  into  a  direct  negociation ;  this?  it  will  be  se 
iwas  merely  thrown  out  as  a  pretext,  to  prolong  the 
l^i  her  pleasure. 

A  mbst  iuinortant  change  had  taken  place  in  the 
,of  Europe,  r^apoleon  had  experienced  a  reverse,  pn 
portioned  to  the^  vastness  of  his  designs.  This  man,  in] 
-toxicated  with  his  former  success,  and  with  the  vile  flat] 
lery  which  is  always  paid  to  the  despot,  had  begun 
tiiink  himself  more  than  mortal.  It  is  thought  thatk^ 
had  conceived  the  ii!sa  of  universal  empire,  naturall'S 
enough  tiie  ultimate  object  of  a  conqueror  ;  for  what  conl 
queror  ever  set  bounds  to  his  ambition  ?  The  vanitjroli 
his  scheme,  if  any  such  ever  entered  his  head,  of  bringiD'] 
all  Europe  to  his' feet,  of  mastering  the  fleet  of  Englanii] 
md  then  extending  his  powr  over  the  globe,  was  nowl 
fully  demonstrated.  The  joy  which  many  of  our  fellow! 
citizens  esipressed  on  this  occasion,  was  perhaps  ill  judg^j 


HISTORY  OF  THE  WAR. 


'89 


[fall  of  a  despot  and  a  tyrant,  is  certainly  an  agreeable 
le  to  a  republican ;  but  the  immediate  connexion  of  this 
with  our  welfare,  was  not  easily  traced.     It  was 

evident  that  the  enmity  both  of  France  and  England 
^rds  this  country,  proceeded  from  the  same  cause, 
J  considering  human  nature,  a  very  natural  cause  , 
[it,  the  circumstance  of  our  prospering*  and  growing 

frdm  their  dissentions.  We  had  but  little  to  fear 
[we  should  be  molested  by  any  European  power,  at- 
iting  to  cunquer  our  vast  country ;  and  as  to  univer- 
lominioQ,  England,  in  her  claim  to  the  sovereignty 
[e  seas,  already  possessed  it,  as  far  as  the  thing,  ia 
lature,  was  capable  of  being  possessed.     As  to  Eu- 

the  mad  attempt  of  Napoleon  had  been  followed 

overthrow  so  complete,  that  so  far  from  being  dan- 
is  to  its  repose  in  future,  it  becameaiiiatter  of  doubt* 
[yery  enlightened  politicians,  ^whether  he  would  be 
Ko  main' ain  his  own  ground,  and  whether  if  France 
[reduced  to  a  seconnTrate  power,  Europe  would  not 
|to  fear  a  mure  formidable  enemy  in  Russia.  No- 
I but  the  pacifick  temper  of  the  present  sovereign,. 
'  be  a  guarantee  to  the  safety  of  the  neighbouring 

s.     The  consequence  of  the  rapid  decline  of  the 
r  of  Napoleon,  would  be  highly  favourable  to  Eng- 

in  the  disposal  of  her  forces  against  this  country  | 
fated  by  her  success  against  France,  it  was  not  proba- 
kat  she  would  feel  much  disposition  to  treat  with  us  > 
wonable  terms, 
first  business,  on  the  meeting  of  Congress,  with 
to  the  war,  wbich  now  occupied  its  chief  atten- 
IfWas  the  providing  an  additional  force.  Enlist-* 
had  been  extremely  slow,  and  sufficient  encou* 
;nt  had  not  been  held  outfor  recruits.     It  was  pro-^ 

jsto  receive  into  the  service  of  the  United  States, 
thousand  volunteers,  for  a  year,  to  be  clothed 
Rid  in  the  same  manner  as  regular  troops.  The  in- 
\y  of  mere  militia,  under  no  discipline,  and  under 
itrol,  bad  been  sufficiently  seen,  both  during  the 

it  and  the  revolutionary  war.      But  there  was  no  - 

of  remedying  the  evil;  for  regularsuldieis  cuiildaot 
ted,  or  at,  least,  in  sufficient  numbers. 


IMAGE  EVALUATION 
TEST  TARGET  (MT-3) 


1.0 


I.I 


11.25 


m  lis 


■  50 


1^  1^    112.2 
^   t^    12.0 


m  t 


U    |,.6 


A" 

O 

V 


J% 


A 


w 


Pliotographic 

Sciences 

Corporation 


33  WIST  MAIN  STMIT 

WnSTIR,  N.Y.  USM 

(716)  I73-4S03 


NT 


37 


iV 


N> 


^^<$^/^ 

^V^ 

^ 


mmmm 


90 


HISTORY  OF  THE  WAR; 


r 


■'. 


, 


The  nar^  attracted  mtich  attention.  On  this  sufiject 
there  prevailed  the  most  perfect  unanimity ;  and  it  was 
resolved,  that  it  should  be  fostered  as  thebest  and  safest 
reliance  of  our  country.  Such  as  might  have  once  been 
inimical  to  it,  became  its  warmest  friends.  The  national 
legislature  now  engaged  with  great  assiduity,  in  devising 
such  measHzes  as  were  necessary,  for  a  vigorous  nrosecu* 
tionot  the  war,  and  as  would  tend  to  remedy  tne  eTils 
already  experienced. 

The  seaWrd,  although  sometimes  threatened  by  tlie 
enemy$  had  iiot  yet  experienced  any  serious  molestation. 
In  the  month  of  December,  the  w  hole  coast  was  proclaim* 
ed  in  a  state  of  blockade^  but  with  no  force  actually  ap^ 
plied.    This  paper  blockade  had  no  pretence  of  retalia- 
tion^, like  that  declared  against  the  coast  of  France  ;  and 
the  United  States  did  not  choose  to  follow  an  example  so  I 
tontrary  to  the  laws  of  nations,  and  in  turn  declare  tlie 
coast  or  England  in  a  state  of  blockade,  and  under  that 
pretence  interrupt  the  commerce  of  neutrals,  going  to  her 
ports.    The  British  vessels  wfcre  chiefly  employed  in  the 
protection  of  her  commerce  against  our  cruisers,  anil  her  I 
attention  was  so  muc^i  taken  up  with  the  mighty  affain 
!which  were  then  passing  on  the  continent,  that  we  for- 
tuaately  remained,  during  this  season,  unmolested ',  at 
least  our  homes  and  our  fo-esides  were  nut  disturbed. 
~    A  war,  however,  threatened  us  in  another  quarter, to 
which  we  now  looked  with  no  small   rnxiety.     The 
southern  Indians,  equally  ferocious  in  their  modes  of 
warfare,  and  periiaps  more  daring   than  the  northern, 
^began  to  exhibit  sii^ns  of  hostility.      No  people  had  ever 
)eea  cause  t(;  complain.      The  Creeks,  witlvin  the  territo* 
link  limits  of  the  United  States,  had  been  uniformly  pro* 
lected  by  the  Americans ;  intruders  upon  their  lands 
ivere  turned  off  at  the  point  of  the  bayonet;    immense 
•oms  were  expended  for  the  purpose  of  teaching  them  the 
arts  of  civilized  life  $  persons  were  employed  to  residi 
nmong  them,  for  the  purpose  of  teaching  those  arts,  and 
implements  of  agriculture  were  furnished  at  the  publick 
•xpenfce.    This  humane  System,  commenced  by  Wash* 
il^^D;  was  strictly  pursued  by  subsequent  adaunistiiif 


HISTORY  OF  THE  WAll. 


tl 


tions.    The  eflfects  were  viHible  in  the  course  of  a  few 
[years.    Their  country  and  climate,  probnl?»ly  the  best* 
in  the  United  States,  were  capable  of  aftbrilinj;  every- 
thing essential  to  their  happiness.     The  domestick  arts 
had  taken  root  atnonorst  tnem  $  that  strong  stimulant  to 
indnstry,  separate  property  on  the  soil,   was  beginning 
to  be  understood ;  they  possessed  numerous  herds,  and 
I  all  the  domestick  animals  ;  their  situation  was,  in  every 
1  respect,  equal  to  that  of  the  peasants  in  many  parts  of 
Europe.    They  had  thrown  off  their  clothing  of  skins, 
and  wore  cottons  of  their  own  manufacture;  and  their 
[Bopulution  was  rapidly  increasing.    They  hml  always 
[lived  on  terms  of  friendship  with  the  llnited  States  ;> 
Itheir  lands  had  never  been  encroached  upon  ;  and  thev' 
[had  become  considerably  intermixed,  b^  marriages,  with, 
jtlie  whites.    According  to  one  of  their  laws,  no  white 
[roan,  except  the  Indian  agent,  is  permitted  to  oeside  lix 
[their  territory,  unless  \\e  marries  a  native. 
I    The  benevolent  societies  of  the  United  States,  had 
[opened  schools  through  the  country,  for  the  purpose  of 
[giving  the  finishing  to  this  state  of  manners ;  for  in  every 
[other  respect  they  had  entirely  thrown  off  the  savage 
[habits.     Nearly  the  same  state  of  improvement  existed 
[ainougst  the  other  tribes,  tlie  Choctaws,  Chickasaws,  and 
[the  CRerokees.      The  same  regular  industry  was  visible- 
[in  the  villages  of  these  people,  in  their  daily  occupations^ 
[in  their  cultivatic^n  of  the  soil,  in  their  attention  to  their 
[lands,  and  even  in  the  construction  of  their  dwellings, 
[which,  in  many  cases,  were  built  by  white  .carpenters 
[employed  for  the  purpose,    and   little   inferior  to    the 
generality  of  white  settlers.    So  far,  indeed,  had  this 
[avilization  advanced,  that  ihe  luxuries  of  eoffee  and 
igar,  and  many  other  articles,    had  be«i  introduced 
mong  them ;  aod  it  was  no  uncommon  thing  to  see  tlieici 
[women  riding  to  some  neighbouring  town,  dressed  m 
[neat  cottoa  garments  of  their  own  weaving,  on  siden 
[saddles  manufactured  by  the.wlutss,    which  had    cosi 
[them  twenty-five  o*  tiiirty  dollars.     Many  of  them  had 

ilaves,  who  laboured  in  the  fields,  or  were  employed  io^ 

""  various  QCGupaliioM  o£  the  houAeholii 


: 


L 


!   ■ 


HISTORY  OF  THE  WAR. 


To  seduce  these  people  into  a  war,  would  be  an  act  of 
cruelty  to  them,  and,  hostilities  on  their  part,  would  be 
the  extreme  of  folly.  For  although,  if  united,  their  num< 
hers  would  be  thrice  that  of  the  northern  Indians,  yet 
being  completely  surrounded  by  white  settlements,  their 
destruction  must  be  inevitable.  The  United  States'  agent, 
colonel  Havykins,  an  enlightened  man,  had  devoted  his 
life  tathe  civilization  of  these  uhfortunate  people,  and  had 
acquired  a  considerable  ascehdencv.  But,  amongst  them, 
there  was  a  large  portion  of  the  idle  and  the  worthless, 
who  had  been  too  lazy  to  acquire  property,  and  who  were 
nclined  to  retHrn  to  the  old  State  of  savage  manners,  be- 
cause more  favourable  to  their  loose,  unrestrained  prO' 
pensities,  than  the  habits  newly  introduced^  wniclv 
they  pretended  to  despise.  During  the  summer,  while 
war  rased  on  the  northern  frontier,  the  disorderly 
Creeks  oegan  to  shew  much  uneasiness  $  they  collected 
in  small  oands,  roamed  about  the  country,  commit- 
ted  depredations  on.  the  property  of  the  well-ordered 
class,  and  often  upon  the  whites.  Shortly  after  the  sur- 
render of  Hull,  this  disposition  brok«  out  into  open  vio- 
lence. A  party  of  these  vagabond  Musco^ees  tell  upon 
some  people,  who  were  descending  the  Mississippi,  and 
murdered  them  near  the  mouth  of  the  Ohio.  The  aftiiir 
was  represented  to  the  nation,  who  caused  the  perpetra- 
tors to  be  seized  and  put  to  death.  A  civil  war,  soon 
after,  was  Uie  consequence,  in  which  the  savage  part^ 
as  might  be  expected,  prevailed  ;  and  the  greater  num- 
ber of  those  who  had  been  friendly  to  the  United  States^ 
were  either  obliged  to  flyy  or  to  join  their  standard. 

Other  causes  contributed  to  bring  about,  this  ruinous 
fttate  of  things.  The  celebrated  chief,  Tecumseh,  had,  the 
year  before,  visited  all  the  southern  tribes,  for  the  purpose 
of  kindling  a  spirit  unfriendly  to  the  United  States.  Tliis 
savage  Demosthenes,  wherever  he  went^  cklled  councils 
of  their  tribes,  and  with  that  bold  and  commanding  elo- 
quence, which  he  possessed  in  a  degree  infinitely  sup^- 
riour  to  what  has  ever  been  witnessed  amongst  these 
people,  exhausted  every  topick  calculated  to  operate  on 
^eir  minds;  and  alienate  their  affections  from  their  ben^ 


aiSlX)KY  OF  THE  WAR. 


m 


hcion.     Amongst  all  these  nations  his  speeches  had 

Scat  effect)  but  amon^t  the  Creeks  particularij,  al- 
oueh  the  more  considerate  rejected  nis  interference. 
Amid  the  usual  topicks  of  his  discourses,  he  was  in  the 
habit  of  reproaching  them  witii  their  civilization  ;  and  in 
the  keenest  and  most  sarcastick  manner,  contrasting 
tiieir  degenerate  effeminacy,  with  every  thing  that  was 
great  and  noble  in  the  opinion  of  Indians,  Demosthenes, 
ui  his  reproaches  of  his  countrymen,  wls  not  more  ter- 
ribly vehement  and  audacious.  Against  the  United  States, 
he  pronounced  the  most  furious  invectives,  which  might 
be  compared  to  the  philippicks  of  the  Grecian  orator ;  and 
b£  unquestionably  left  a  strong  impression  on  the  minds 
of  all  the  southern  Indians. 

There  existed,  however,  another  more  immediate  cause 
-of  their  enmity  towards  as.  The  Seminoles,  and  the 
tribes  of  the  Creeks  who  resided  within  the  territory  of 
Spain,  were  frequently  supplied  with  arms  and  presents 
from  tiie  British  government,  with  a  view  of  engi^ng 
them  to  make  war  upon  the  United  States,  and  also  ta 
prevail  upon  tiie  other  Creeks  to  join  themi  The  town: 
of  Pensacola,  which  was  then,  to  every  purpose,  under  the 
control  of  Great  Britain,  was  the  usual  place  at  which 
these  presents  were  distributed,  and  wher^the  vagabond 
Indians  could  be  supplied  with  arms ;  aQ^  they  resorted 
to  it,  from  all  the  diLerent  tribes,  for  the  purpose  of 
-receiving  them.  It  was  no  difficult  matter,  thus  to  excite 
hostilities;  unfortunately,  the  event  proved  them  but 
too  successful.  Such  was  the  disposition  of  the  southern 
Indians,  during  the  first  year  of  the  war. 

The  Choctaws,  Chickasaws  and  Cherokees,  the  latter 
particularly,  being  further  removed  from  British  influence, 
and  witliin  reach  of  our  pov/er,  were  disposed  to  be  friend- 
ly ;  but  many  of  their  restless  young  men,  in  spite  of  the 
nation,  strayed  off  and  joined  our  enemies.  Hostilities  did 
not  commence  on  the  part  of  any  of  these  Indians,  witliin 
our  territory,  during  the  first  year  of  the  war.  The 
government,  however,  fearing  the  worst,  called  on  the- 
soyernours  of  Georgia  and  Tennessee,  to  hold  their  mi- 
Utia  in  readiness  j  and  general  Jackson,  at  the  head  of  two 


« 


wmmm 


mmm 


S9tmiCii!J.-> 


4  HISTORY  OF  THE  WAR 

thousand  men,  early  in  the  spring,  marched  through  the 
Choctaw  and  Chickasaw  country  to  Natchez*  a  distance  I 
oT  five  hundred  miles ;  but  every  thing  appearing);  peace* 
ful  in  this  quarter,  he  shortly  after  returned.  This  ev  I 
pedition  had  the  effect  of  fixing  the  tiibes  through  which 
it  passed  j  and  of  retarding  the  Creek  war.  Irie  tiibei 
within  tite  limits  of  the  Spanish  part  of  Florida,  on  the 
contrary,  declared  themselves  at  once,  and  brandishetl 
"^e  seaming  knife  against  the  frontier  of  Geor^a. 

The  Semmoles,  very  soon*  after  the  declaration  of  war, 
began  to  make  incursions  into  Georgia,  accompanied  bji 
number  of  negro  runauays,  who  had  taken  refi^»  amongst 
thein.      They  proceeded  to  the  usual  work  of  murdering  I 
the  inhabitants,  and  plundering  their  prop4»rty.    Early  it  ] 
September,  a  party  of  marines  and  aoout  twenty  volun- 
teers, under  captaintWilliams,  were  attacked  near  Davis'i  { 
Creek  by  about -fifty  Indians  and  nesroes.    After  a  despe< 
rate  resistance,  in  which  captains  Williams  and  Fort  were  I 
both  severely  woundlNl,  the  party  retreated,  leaving  the 
sa'^es  in  possession  of  their  wagons  and  teams.    * 

of  the  ^th  of  the  same  months  colonel  Newman  i -of  the ' 
Georgia  volunteers,  with  about  one  hundred  and  seven' 
teen  men«  marched  to  the  attack  of  the  Loehway  towns, 
/When  within  a  few  miles  of  the  firstof  these,,''he  meta 
party  of  one  hundred.' and  fifty  Indians  4)n  hor6e!>ack, 
who  instantly  dismounted  and  prepared  for  battle.  Culo- 
nel  Newmdn  ordered  a  charge,  and' the  Indians  were 
driven  into  one  of  the  swamps,  which  abound  in  this-part 
of  the  country.  As  they  fled,  the  fire  of  the  musketry 
did  considerable  execution,  and,  amongst  others  of  the 
stain,  they  left  their  king  in  the  hands  of  the  whites.  The 
Indians  discovering  this,  with  a  spirit  which  deserves  to 
be  admired,  made  several  desperate  charges,  in  order  to 
recover  the  body  of  the  chief,  and  were  each  time  driven 
back.  But  in  atiother  attempt)  still  more  desperately  fu* 
xious,  they  succeeded  in  carrying  off  the  dead  body; 
when  they  retired  from  the  fields  uter  a  severe  conthct 
of  two  hyurs.  This,  however,  did  not  free  the  Georgi- 
ans from  their  unpleasant  situation.  Before  night,  the,, 
Indians  returned  with  considerable  reinforcements  ot' oe* 


fflSTORY  OF  THE  WAR. 


lb 


groes,  and  after  a  loss  more  severe  than  the  firsts  tbej 
I  again  fled.    The  volunteers  now  found  their  situation  be- 
comins  every  moment  more  critical ;  the  number  of  their 
wounded,  would  neither  permit  them  to  retreat,  nor  to 
advance,  and  the  enemy  was  hourlv  increasing  on  all 
i  sides.    A  messenger  was  despi^ched  for  reinforcements  $ 
and  in  the  meanwhile,  they  throw  up  a  small  breast  work. 
Here  they  remained  until  the  4th  ofOcituber,  waiting  for 
I  assistance;   having  in  the   meantime  repelled  numer- 
|ou9  assaults  from  the  Indiaos,  who  continued   to  harass 
I  them  day  and  night*     The  Indians  observing  that  a  per- 
fect silence  prevailed  within  the  breast- works,  suspcxted 
that  they  had  been  deserted  in  tiie  night ;  and  approach- 
jed  under  this  assurance,  until  within  thirty  or  fbfty  pa- 
ces, when  the  Georgians  suddently  shewed  themselves 
[above  the  breast-work,  fired  tiieir  pieces,  and  sent  theia 
lyelling  to  the  swamps.    The  volunteers  then  decamped, 
land  reached  unmolested  the  village  of  Peccolatta.  whence 
Ithey  had  set  out     Intelligence  of  this  aifair  reached  tlte 
[government  about  the  commencemeht  of*  the  session  of 
I  Congress,  and  it  was  found  necessary  to  make  suitaide 
preparations  to  meet  a  war  in  this  quarter.    I'he  defence 
of  this  important  frontier  was  assigned  to  general  Pinck- 
ney,  of  South  Carolina,  a  gentleman  of  great  distinction 
and  ability,  who  vmis  appointed  a  brigadier  in  the  service 
I  of  tlie  United  States. 

CiMigress  had  not  been  long  in  session,  when  the  pub- 
jUck  feelings  were  once  more  excited,  by  news  of  the  most 
flattering  kind.  Another  naval  victory  was  announced, 
not  less  splendid  than  those  of  the  Constitution  and  the 
Macedonian ;  the  flag  of  another  British  frigate  was  trans- 
mitted to  our  capital,  and  was  placed  amongst  the  other 
trophies  of  OHT  aaval  prowess. 

In  October,  the  Constitution,  commodore  Bainbridge, 
and  the  Hornet,  -captain  Lawrence,  sailed  from  Mew 
[York,  and  were  to  effect  a  junction  with  t^e  Kssex,  cap- 
tain Porter,  which  sailed  about  the  same  time  from  the 
Delaware ;  the  object  of  which  was  to  cruise  in  the  South 
Seas,  and  destroy  the  British  fisheries  and  commerce  in 
th&t  quarter.     The  junotion  not  happening  at  the  time* 


^ 


IHSTORY  OF  THE  WAlU 


and  place  appointed,    comiiodore  Porter  passed  round 
Cape  H'lrn    alone.     In  the  mean  while,  on   the  29th 
December,  a  few  leagues  west  of  St.  Salvador,  the  Coiwl 
stitution,  wluch  had  a  few  days  before  parted  companjl 
with  the  Hornet,  descried  a  British  frigate.      Commodorel 
Bainbridge  tacked  sail  and  stood  for  her.     At  2  P.  }A,\ 
the  enemy  was  within  half  a  mile  of  the  Constitution,  and 
to  windward,  havinjc  hauled  down  his  colours,    excej^ 
the.union  jack,  which  was  at  the  mizen-mast  head.    Ai 
gun  was  then  fired  ahead,'tamtke  him  shew  his  colourg,! 
which  was  returned  by  a  broadside*      The  enemy's  co. 
lours  being  now  hoisted,  the  action  commenced  with  rnund| 
and  i^rape  ;  hut  he  ke^t  at  so  great  a  distance  that  thi 
bad  little  effect;  and  in  this  position,  if  he  were  brougMJ 
nearer,  the  Constitution  would  be  exposed  to  raking ;  at] 
thirty  niinutes  past  two,  both  thips  were  within  good  can*i 
nister  distance,  wh«^ii  the  Constitution's  wheel  was  shot] 
away.     At  forty  minutes  past  tv^o,  the  fore  and  main-siull 
were  set,  and  commodore  Bainbridge,  being  now  deterJ 
mined  to  close  with  her,  luflfed  up  for  that  purpose,  and] 
in  ten  minutes  after,  the  enemy's  jib-boom  got  iiul  of  fhel 
Constitution's  mizen  rising,  and  in  another  ten  *n:nute8,1 
his  bow-sprit  and  jib-boom  were  shot  away.     At  five  inin-f 
Qtes  past  three,  his  main  top  mast  v^as  shot  away  justl 
above  the  cap.    This  was  followed  by  the  loss  of  his  gaJfl 
and  spanker  boom,  and  soon  after'  his  main  mast  tveiitr 
nearly  by  the  board.     At  fifteen  minutes  past  three  the 
enemy  was  completely  silenced,  and  his  colours  at  the! 
main  roast  bein»-  down,  it  was  thought  he  had  surrender* 
led  ;  under  this  idea,  the  Constitution  shot  ahead  to  repair  I 
damages;  after  which,  discovering  the  enemy's  flag  still 
flying,  she  wore,  stood  fur  him  in  a  handsome  style,  and| 

fot  close  athwart  his  bows  in  an  eifectual  position  for  ra* 
ing,  when  his  main  mast  went  entirely  by  the  board,and| 
he  lay  an  unmanageable  wreck.  He  now  struck  his  co> 
lours,  and  wus  taken  possession  of  bv  lieutenant  Parker^ 
9;ad  found  to  be  the  British  frigate  Java,  of  thirty-ei^ht 
I'uns,  but  carrying  forty-nine,  commanded  by  a  distiri' 
ginshed  officer^  captain  liambert,  who  was  mortally 
^Ot^ded.    iShe  had  vn  board  four  hundred  men,  besidd 


HISTORY  OP  THE  WAK. 


9T 


/»! 


Cast  Indies,  for  the  service  there.     The  Constitution 

fad  nine  men  killed,  and  twenty-five  wounded ;  the  Java 

Kxty  killed,  and  one  hundred  and  twenty  wounded.    She 

ad  on  board  despatches  for  St.  Helena,   Cape  of  Good 

lope,  and  the  different  establishments  in  the  East  Indies, 

ina  China,  with  copper  for  a  seventy-four,  building  at 

Bombay.    There  were  also  on  board  a  number  of  passen- 

etv,  among  whom  were  lieutenant  general  Hislop^    jgo- 

lernour  of  Bombay ;  major  Walker;  and  one  staflTmijor; 

iptain  Marshall,  master  and  commander  of  the  Eoyal 

favy ;  and  several  officers  appointed  to  ships  in  the  East 

idies. 

The  conduct  of  all  the  American  officers,  on  this  occa* 
Ion,  was  as  conspicuous  for  gallantry  durins  t^e  engage- 
ment, as  for  humanity  to  the  vanquished*    It  is  this  true 
hivalrick  courtesy,   which  gives  estimation  to  valoUn 
Lieutenant  Aylwin,  so  favourably  known  to  the  reader, 
eceived  a  severe  wound,  of  which  he  soon  after  died.  He 
m  in  the  act  of  firing  his  pistols  at  the  eiemy  from  the 
uarter  deck  hammocK,  when  he  received  a  ball  in  hi| 
kulder  blade,  which  threw  him  on  the  deck.  Midshipnian 
>uiany,  who  had  fought  by  his  side  in  both  actions  of  this 
hip,  ordered  two  men  of  his  division  to  carry  him  below; 
h  this  he  would  not  consent,  until  he  saw  the  issue  of 
ie  battle,  at  the  same  time  declaring:  that  no  man  should 
luit  ilia  post  on  his  account.     Lieutenant  Parker,  Jamef 
)ulany,  of  Pennsylvania,  and  James  Packett,  of  Virginia^ 
rere  much  distinguished  ;  the  latter  was  afterwards  pre- 
ented  with  a  sword  by  his  native  state,  a^^d  was  promo- 
hd  tu  a  lieutenancy.     Many  extraordinary  instances  of 
IraTery  were  manifested  by  the  seamen,  one  of  whom, 
[fter  being  mortally  wounded,  !ay  upon  deck  during  a 
reat  part  of  the  action,  apparently  expiring ;    but  no 
loner  was  it  announced  that  the  enemy  had  struck,  than 
|e  raised  himself  up,  gave  three  cheers,  fell  back  aud  ex- 
bred. 

Oq  the  first  of  January,  the  commodore  finding  the 
brizein  such  a  state  as  to  render  it  impossible  toDrin|g 
ler  in,  and  leaving  every  thing  on  board  except  the  pri- 
joiiers'  baggage,  blew  her  up.    On  arriving  at  Sit  pal- 


I»8 


HISTORY  OF  THB  WAR. 


Tsdor,  the  commodore  received  the  publiek  acknowledge.! 
meDts  of  y^oTernour  Hislop,  who  presented  him  with  an  I 
elegant  sword  in  consideration  of  the  polite  treatment 
vrhich  he  had  shewn.    He  released  the  private  passengen I 
without  considering  them  as  prisoners }  the  publiek  passen. 
cerS)  ofiicers  and  crew,  were  released  on  their  parole.  At 
tnis  place  the  Constitution  met  with  the  Hornet,  and 
leaving  this  vessel  to  blockade  the  Bonne  Citoyenne,  the 
commodore  sailed  for  the  United  States,  changing  the 
original  destination  for  the  South  Seas. 

On  the  arrival  of  commodore  Bainbridge  in  the  United  | 
States,  he  was  universally  hailed  by  the  applauses  of  his  i 
countrymen  ;  he  received  the/reedom  of  the  city  of  New* 
York  in  a  g;oId  box;  a  piece  of  plate  from  the  citizens  (^ 
Philadelphia,  and  the  thanks  of  many  of  the  state  Icgisli  I 
tares.    QonsressT  «lso  presented  him  a  medal,  and  vote^ 
fifty  thousand  doHa^  to  himself,  officers  and  crew.         1 

In  the  midst  ofthese  affairs,  news  of  fresh  disasters  tQl 
tiie  westward,  i^id  accompanied  hy  circumstances  such 
as  rarely  occur  in  the  annals  of  history,  tended  much  to  I 
temper  the  publiek  joy  for  the  second  victory  of  the  Con- 
jtitutiom  ^  ' 


HISTORY  OF  THE  WAR. 


99 


CHAPTER  VI. 

|B»iT»8on  returns  to  Ohio — Oeneral  Winchester  sends  a 
detachment  to  protect  Frenchtown — Colonel  Lewis  dt' 
feats  the  British  and  Indians — Winchester  arrives 
with  reinforcements — Battle  of  tlie  river  Raisin-^ 
Shocking  conduct  of  the  British  and  their  allies — Sar- 
Tison*s  return — 8ieee  of  Fort  Meigs — Defeat  ofDudly 
—•The  siege  raised — Exploit  of  Major  Ball. 

jVV'^  ^^^^  ^^®°  ^^^^  ^^^^  indefatigabld  industry  gene* 
Iral  Harrison  was  engaged,  in  placing  the  western  frontier 
[in  a  posture  of  defence,  and  in  attempting  to  regain  what 
iwe  had  lost.    The  Indian  tribes  had  been  made  to  feel 
Itiie  war  in  their  own  country,  and  were  driven  to  such  a 
distance  by  the  destruction  of  their  vill^es,  as  o  prevent 
I  Ihem  from  annoying  bur  settlements ;  ^ey  were  compel- 
|led  to  remove  their  wives  and  children  to  the  distant 
Eritish  establishments,  in  order  to  obtain  the  means  of 
sibsistence.    The  close  of  the  season  was  now  chiefly 
occupied  in  strengthening  the  frontier  posts,  and  in  es- 
tablishing others.    Great  exertions  were  mad^  by  gover- 
nour  Meigs,  of  Ohio,  to  keep  up  the  necessary  supply  of 
men,  ana  to  provide  the  means  of  subsistence.    General 
Harrison  estU)lished  his  head  quarters  at  Franklinton^ 
whence  he  could  with  greater  facility  organize  and  distri- 
bute to  the  diftercnt  forts,  the  reinforcements  and  supplies 
which  must  arrive.     His  object  was  to  concentrate  a  con- 
siderable force  at  the  Rapids,  and  thence,  unless  a  change 
of  circumstances  forbade,  proceed  to  Detroit.    The  go- 
vernment was  compelled,  in  consequence  of  the  taking  of 
that  place,  to  transport  artillery  and  publick  stores  at  an 
enormoujR  expense!  across  the  mountains,  and  down  the 
Ohio  J  and  afterwards  to  the  different  forts.    This  neces- 
sarily consumed. much  time^  and  delayed  the  operations 
of  the  army. 

In  the  meanwhile,  general  Winchester  continued  at 
Fort  Defiance,  with  about  eight  hundred  men ;  many  of 


100 


HISTORY  OF  THE  WAR. 


the  volunteers  having  returned  home  on  the  expiratioil 
of  their  term  of  service.     Those  who  remained  wcrtl 
chiefly  from  Kentucky,   and  the  greater  part  rankedl 
amongst  its  most  respectable  citizens.  Early  m  the  montitl 
of  January,   general  Winchester   received  intiniatioiiil 
from  the  inhabitants  of  the  village  of  Frenchtown,  whicij 
is  situated  on  the  river  Raisin,  oetween  the  Rapids  a 
Detroit,  tiiatalarge  body  of  British  and  Indians  mn\ 
about  to  concentrate  at  this  point,  for  the  purpose  of  pre. 
.  Tenting  the  farther  progress  of  the  Americans.    The  in- 
habitants became  alarmed  at  their  situation,  besought  titt 
Americans  to  march  to  their  protection,  as  they  would 
.probably  be  exposed  to  :he  horrours  of  Indian  massacr;, 
in  the  midst  of  fAocioui  savages,  whom  the  British  were 
obliged  to  indulge,  thnt  they  might  be  kept  in  a  good  hu- 
mour.  Threats  acains*.  them  had,  besides,  been  thrown  oit 

%one  of  the  Indian  Chiefs.  The  sensibility  of  the  youn* 
nerican  volunteersf  officers  anci  privates,  was  strong* 
ly  excited,  and  they  earnestly  besoumtthe  general  to  lead 
uiem  to  the  defence  of  the  distresseoTinhabitants.  With 
Some  reluctance,  he  yielded  to  their  wishes,  and  contrary 
to  the  fi;eneral  plan  of  the  commander  in  chief,  resolved 
io  send  a  force  to  their  relief.  Accordingly,  on  the  seven- 
teenth of  January,  he  detached  a  body  of  men  under  co* 
lonels  Lewis  ancl  Alleq,  with  orders  to  wait  at  Presque 
Isle,  until  joined  by  the  main  body. 

<ki  their  arrival,  information  was  received  that  an  ad- 
1^anc^|>arty  of  British  and  Indians,  had  already  taken  pos- 
'  session  of  Frenchtown.  It  was  determined  to  march  in- 
atantly  and  attack  them.  As  they  drew  near,  the  enem^ 
hccam'e  apprised  of  their  approach,  and  prepared  fur  their 
reception.  Colonel  Allen  commanded  the  right  wing,  ma- 
jor Graves  the  left,  and  major  Madison  the  centre.  On 
coming  to  the  river,  which  was  bridged  with  ice,  they  (lis* 
played  and  moved  forward  under  a  fire  from  a  howitzer 
and  musketry.  Majors  Graves  and  Madison,  with  their 
battalions,  were  ordered  to  dislodge  the  enemy  from  the 
houses  and  picketing,  which  they  in  a  moment  eflected,  un- 
der a  shower  of  bulnts,  and  drove  the  British  and  Indians 
to  the  woods.    Colonel  Allen  made  a  simultaneous  move- 


HISTORY  OF  THE  WAR. 


101 


lincntupon  their  left,  and  after  several  spirUed  charges 
[cninpelled  these  te  take  to  the  wood  also.  Here  availing 
hhemselves  of  the  fences  and  fallen  timber,  they  attempted 
{to  make  a  stand ;  but  were  attacked  a  second  time)  and  after 
is  conflict  more  obstinate  than  the  first,  they  again  fled. 
I'rhey  now  attempted  to  draw  their  pursuers  into  a  wood  ; 
land  partly  succeedinj^,  they  charged  in  turn  furiously,  hut 
Iwere  unable  to  break  the  Ameiican  line.  A  severe  conflict 
now  ensued,  but  the  enemy  was  finally  beaten,  pursued 
with  a  continual  charge  for  several  miles,  and  entirely  dis- 
persed. The  American  loss  was  twelve  killed,  and  fifty-five 
[wounded :  that  of  the  enemy  could  not  well  be  ascertain- 
ed, but  fifteen  of  the  Indians  were  left  on  the  field.  The 
Ivolunteers  having  thus  gallantly  efiected  their  object,  en- 
Icamped  on  the  spot,  where  they  remained  until  the  20th» 
[when  they  were  joined  by  general  Winchester^  With  this 
■addition,  their  whole  force  exceeded  seven  hundred  and 
Ifirty  men. 

8ix  hundred  men  Were  placed  within  a  line  of  pickets, 
land  the  remainder,  to  the  number  of  one  hundred  and 
fifty,  encamped  iuthe'open  field.  On  the  morning  of  the 
22d,  a  combined  force  of  about  fifteen  hundred  men,  un- 
der Proctor  and  the  Indian  chiefs  Round-head  and  Split- 
lug,  suddenly  attacked  our  little  arm  v.  They  were  in 
an  instant  ready  for  the  reception  of  the  enemy,  who 
|)lanted  six  pieces  of  artillery,  and  opened  a  heavy 
iire,  accompanied  with  musketry,  against  the  slight 
breast-work  of  pickets.  The  body  of  men  belonging  to 
the  encampment,  p.nd  composing  the  right  wing,  was  so^n 
overpowered  by  numbers,  and  endeavoured  to  retreat 
across  the  river.  Two  companies  of  fifty  men  each,  see- 
ing the  critical  situation  of  their  comrades,  sallied  out  of 
the  breast-work  to  their  relief,  but  shared  the  same  fate. 
Nearly  the  whole  of  these  unfortunate  men  were  either 
cut  oif,  or  surrendered  themselves  prisoners  to  the  Bri  < 
tish,  under  promise  of  protection.  The  left  wine  within 
the  pickets,  still  continued  a  cool  and  steady  resistance. 
Three  successive  assaults  were  made  by  the  British  41st, 
but  they  were  driven  back,  with  the  loss  of  thiity  killed 
aad  one  hundred  wounded.    When  the  right  wing  broke 

9*  " 


102 


HISTORY  OF  THE  WAR. 


ftt  the  commencement  of  the  action,  great  efibrts  had  been 
made  by  general  Winchester  and  colonel  Lewis,  to  rally 
and  bring  them  within  the  pickets  y  but  in  the  attempt  these 
officers  were  taken  prisoners.  Notwithstanding  these 
misfortunes,  and  the  overwhelming  force  which  assailed 
them  on  every  sld^,  they  still  continued,  with  firmness  and 
determination  never  surpassed,  to  repulse  every  assault 
of  the  enemy,  until  eleven  o'clock  in  the  dayj  makin« 
prodigous  slaughter  in  hi&  ranks. 

Finding  at  length  that  it  would  be  vain  to  contend  open' 
ly  with  such  men,  resolved  to  defend  themselves  to  the  last, 
and  that  even  if  they  had  now  been  successful,  their  victo.  | 
ry  would  have  been  dearly  bought,  the  enemy  attempted 
to  prevail  on  them  lo  surrender.  The  general  was  told  I 
by  colonel  Proctor,  that  unless  his  men  surrendered,  they 
would  be  delivered  over  to  the  fury  of  the  savages,  or 
what  amounts  to  the  same  thins,  no  responsibility  ^vould 
betaken  for  their  conduct,  and  that  the  houses*^  of  the 
village  would  be  burnt.  The  general  sent  a  flag  com' | 
mumcatins  these  particulars,  and  stating  that  in  order  to 
preserve  the  remamder  of  his  brave  troops,  he  had  agreed 
to  surrender  them  as  prisoners  of  war,  on  condition  of  | 
their  being  protected  from  the  savages,  of  their  being  al- 
lowed to  retain  their  private  property,  and  of  having 
their  side  arms  returned  them.  T  he  flag  passed  three 
times,  the  Americans  unwilling  to  «iurrender  with  arms 
in  their  hands,  until  they  received  a  positive  engagement 
from  a  British  colonel  that  they ;,should  hot  be  murdered, 
and  that  they  should  have  the  privilege  of  burying  tlie 
dead.  Thirty-five  officers,  and  four  hundred  and  fifty 
non-commissioned  officers  and  men,  still  remained,  after 
fighting  six  hours  against  artillery,  surrounded  by  the  yelU 
ot  a  thousand  savages,  waiting  like  wolves  for  their  pre^. 
At  this  time  the  killed,  wounaed  and  missing,  of  the  lit- 
tle army,  including  those  that  had  been  outside  the  picket, 
amounted  to  more  than  three  hundred.  The  loss  of  the 
British  could  not  have  been  less.  The  little  band,  thus 
soficited  by  their  general,  and  giving  way  to  that  ray  of 
hope  which  the  bravest  men  in  desperate  situations  'iViil 
9eize)  at  last  consented  to  a  surrender. 


HISTORY  OF  THE  WAK. 


K)d 


The  office  of  the  historian  sometimes  imposes  a  melan- 
Ich6ly  duty.  The  mind  may  be  allowed  to  iiuliiif«;e  a  one- 
rous satisfaction,  in  recording  tliose  actions  v  ore  ahigh, 
but  mistaken  ambition,  calls  forth  our  energies  at  the  ex- 
pense of  humanity.  Who  can  read  without  admiring,  the 
retreat  of  the  ten  thousand  Greeks,  and  what  heart  can 
be  insensible  to  the  recital  of  the  fate  of  Leonidas  and 
his  immortal  band  !  The  virtues  of  such  men,  their  forti- 
tude, their  love  of  country,  their  unconquerable  minds, 
give  a  sanctity  to  their  fate ;  and  while  we  grieve  for 
them,  we  rejoice  that  we  also  are  men.  Far  otherwise 
when  we  trace,  in  characters  of  blood,  the  cofd,  deliberate, 
iicnd-like  depravity,  which  assimilates  men  to  the  most 
odious  and  ferocious  of  the  brute  creation. 

The  task  I  must  now  fulfil  is  painful;  I  must  speak  of 
such  things  as  I  almost  shudder  to  name ;  neither  can  it  be 
done  without  tearing  open  the  yet  bleeding  ivounds  of 
my  country.  But  faithtul  history  forbids  that  tney  should 
be  passed  over  in  silence ;  they  must  stand  forth  in  all  the 
ftwtulness  of  truth :  and  that  impartial  judgment  must  be 
passed  upon  them,  which  will  doom  them  to  the  detesta- 
tion of  all  posterity.  The  vengeance  of  heaven  does  not 
sleep.  There  is  a  measure  of  retributive  justicti  even  in 
this  world,  which  sooner  or  later  overtakes  the  swiftest 
guilt.  Not  the  most  infuriated  passions  of  the  worst  of 
times,  ever  generated  a  more  shocking  scene  of  cruelties 
than  were  practised  towards  a  band  ot  brave  men,  fight- 
ing in  honourable  battle,  and  who  deserved  statues  of 
their  country.  Impelled  by  feelings  of  humanity,  they 
inarched  to  protect  the  feeble  and  the  helpless  from 
savage  violence :  and  assailed  by  overwhelming  numbersy 
they  might  have  contended. to  the  last  man ;  but  yielding 
to  the  solicitations  of  their  captured  general,  to  the  threats 
of  conflagration  and  murder,  to^the  innocent  people  of  the 
village,  they  surrendered  in  an  evil  hour  to  ataitldess  and 
treacherous  foe,  that  they  might  be  consigned  to  cruel 
euffering,  to  butchery,  to  murder,  to  unrelenting  torture,  to 
every  species  of  savage  death.  Well  miglit  those  dispos- 
ed to  wage  such  a  war,  wibh  to  destroy  the  pen  of  hitto- 


104 


HISTORY  OF  THE  WAR. 


ry.  'Hie  pen  of  history  cannot  be  broken.*  At  its  com- 
mand)  the  sword  of  vengeance  shall  leap  from  its  scab- 
bai-d.  Would  for  the  honour  of  Britain  ;  would  for  the 
sake  of  humanity ;  M'ould  for  the  sake  of  our  common  re- 
lationship to  a  nation  in  which  there  exist  many  of  lite 
most  generous  and  refined,  that  the  odious  tale  of  the  river 
Raisin  and  Frenchtown>  might  be  consigned  to  eteriial 
oblivion.  But  ijt  cannot  be.  The  sacr^  call  of  truth 
must  he  obe^^ed.  The  savage  and  wanton  massacre  of  our 
heroick  countrymen,  in  the  presence  of  a  British  officer, 
has  not  been  denied,  or  palliated.  Other  atrocities  the 
perpetrators  have  attempted  to  cover,  fey  some  flimsy  veil 
of  unsubstantial  excuse,  but  this  charge  has  always  been 
met  with  silence.  They  have  not  dared  directly  to  deny; 
and^  gracious  Heaven,  where  could  they  find  an  excuse ! 
Let  the  virtuous  Briton,  who  reads  this  page,  blush  for  his 
countrymen  ;  let  the  posterity  of  the  nation  to  which  vie 
are  so  closely  related,  shed  a  tear  upon  it,  and  maj  fu- 
ture generations  of  Americans,  for  the  sake  of  the  com- 
mon relationship  they  bear  to  a  Sidney,  a  Russel,  a  Chat- 
ham, and  a  Howard,  generously  forgive.  VThey  cannot 
forget. 

Scarcely  had  the  Americans  surrendered,  under  the 
stipulation  of  protection  from  the  British  officer,  than 
our  brave  citizens  now  discovered  too  late,  that  thejr 
were  reserved  to  be  butchered  in  cold  blood.  Of  the 
right  wing,  but  a  small  number  had  escaped  ;  the  work 
of  scalping  and  stripping  the  dead,  and  murdering  those 
ivho  could  no  longer  resist,  was  suffered  to  go  on  with- 
out restraint.  The  infernal  work  was  now  to  negin  with 
those  who  had  so  bravely  defended  themselves.  The 
infamous  Proctor  and  the  British  officers  turned  a  deaf 
ear  to  the  just  remonstrances  of  these  unhappy  men. 
Contrary  to  express  stipulations,  the  swords  were  taken 
from  the  sides  of  the  officers,  many  of  them  stripped  al- 
most naked,  and  robbed.    The  brave  dead  were  stripped 

*  In  the  Vandal  mutilations  of  the  beautiful  naval  monument 
at  Washington,  the  ptin  of  the  figure  representing  history  wu 
broken. 


HISTORY  OF  THE  WAR. 


mo 


[and  scalped,  and  their  bodies  shockingly  mutilated.  The 
Itomahawk  put  an  end  at  once  to  the  sufterings  of  many 
[of  the  wounded  who  could  not  rise ;  in  allusion  to  which, 
Igome  dajR  afterwards,  a  British  officer  observed,  ^  The 
[Indians  are  excellent  doctors."  The  prisoners,  who 
[now  remained,  with  but  a.  few' exceptions,  instead  of 
[being  guarded  by-  British  soldiers,  were  delivered  to  the 
charge  of  the  Indfians,  to  be  marched  in  the  rear  of  the  ar- 
\mj  to  Maiden.  Thier  was,  in  other  words,  a  full  permis- 
sion to  indulge  their  savase  thirst  of  blood  ;  and  in  this 
they  were  not  disappointed^  for  tlie  greater  part  of  these 
ill-fated  men  were  murdered  on  the  way^  through  mere 
wantonness.  Perhaps,  as  a  christian^jf  he  be  sucn.  Proc- 
tor attempted  to  put  a  stop  to  these  butcheries;  no — 
there  was  not  even  an  attempt}  and  in  this  country  we 
know  well  that  it  was  amply  in.  his  power  to  have  pre- 
vented  these  things.  But  if  he  wjere  notj  it  neither  les- 
ions bis  villainy  nor  the  infamy  of  the  British,  in  associat- 
ing with  such  allies.  All  such  as  became  too  weak  for. 
want  of  nourishment,  from  excessive  fatigue,  from  their 
[wounds,  in  this,  most  inclement  season  of  tlieyear,  were 
at  once  despatched.  But  small  was  the  number  of  this 
little  army,  that  ever  reached  the  British  garrison ;  the 
greater  part  of  the  prisoners  had  been  carried  off  by  the 
Indians,  that  they  might  satiate  their  fiend-like  hatred 
bj  roasting  them  at  the  stake ;  or  if  reserved,  it  was  to 
gratify  their  cupidity,  by  rendering  them  the  objects  of 
an  abominable  traflick.  Alas !  what  heart  that  does  not 
shrink  with  fnward  horrour,  at  the  contemplation  of  thi9 
ghastljr  scene !  But  its  abominations  were  not  yet  com- 
plete. 

About  sixty  of  the  wounded,  many  of  them  officers  of 
distinction,  or  individuals  of  much  respectability,  had 
been  suffered  to  take  shelter  in  the  houses  of  tlie  inhabi- 
tants, and  two  of  their  own  surgeons  nermitted  by  Proc- 
tor to  attend  them,  from  whom  they  also  obtained  a  pro- 
mise that  a  guard  should  be  placed  to  protect  them,  and 
that  they  should  be  carried  to  Maiden  tlie  next  morning 
in  sleds.  But  alas!  this  wretch's  affected  humanity,  was 
but  an  aggravation  of  bis  cruelty,  by  av^akening  a  hope 


106 


HISTORT  OP  THE  WAR. 


ivhich  he  iQtended  to  disappoint.  No  guard  of  soldiers 
was  lefty  and  on  the  next  day,  instead  of  sleds  to  convey 
them  to  a  place  of  safety,  a  party  of  Indians  returned  to 
the  field  of  battle,  fell  upon  these  poor  wounded  men, 
plundered  them  of  tiieir  clothing,  and  efery  article  of 
any  value  which  remained,  tomahawked  the  greater  part 
of  them,  and,  to  finish  the  scene,  fired  the  houses,  and! 
Consumed  the  dying  and  the  dead. 

The  terrible  tale  is  not  yet  told.  Those  rites,  which  in 
every  civilized  country  are  held  sacred,  -which  are  not  I 
withheld  from  the  vilest  malefactor,  which  are  paid  ahke 
to  enemies  and  to  friends,  the  rites  of  sepulture,  a]> 
though  there   existed  an  express    stipulation  with  tht 
inonster   who  commanded,    a   stipulation  unnecessary 
amongst  civilized  men,  yet  these  were  not  only  deniea, 
but  the  humane  inhabitants  of  the  village  darea  not  per* 
form  them  under  pain  of  death.    And  why  was  this 
refused  ?   Because,   said  Proctor,    his  majesty's  alUei 
would  not  permit !   Was    there  any  attempt  made  to 
bury  them  ?  None. '  Notwithstanding  this,  some  of  the 
inhabitants,  although  it><  was  as  much  as  t|^  lives  vrere 
worth,"  did  venture  to  perform  this  last  and  pious  office 
to  captain  Hart,  to  captain  Woolfolk,  and  (ifew  others; 
but  the  remainder,  nearly  two.  hundred  in  nuniber,  never 
had  this  ofiice  performed  for  them,  until  their  friends 
and  relatives  triumphed  over  the  inhuman  mbn8ter,the 
autumn  following,  and  then^athered  up  their  bleaching 
bones.    Their  mangled  bodies  had  been  suffered  to  lie  on 
the  ground  exposed  to  the  ferocious  beasts  of  prey,  or  to 
the  more  horrmle  pollution  of  domestick  animals. 

The  general  tri^edy  was  diversified  by  a  hundred 
scenes  ^  individual  sufferings.  The  fate  of  the  brave 
and  accomplished  captain  Hart,  a  near  relative  of  two 
of  our  most  distinguished  statesmen,  (Henry  Clay,  and 
James  Brown,)  a  young  gentleman  of  finished  education 
and  polished  manners,  cannot  be  related  without  a  tear. 
He  had  in  a  particular  manner  distinguished  himself  dur- 
ing the  engagement,  and  had  received  a  severe  wound  in 
the  knee.  On  being  surrendered  with  the  other  prisoners, 
he  was  recognized  by  colonel  Elliot,  a  native  of  the  Unit* 


HISTORY  OF  THE  WAR. 


lor 


l^d  States,  with  whom  he  had  been  a  class-mate  at 
Princeton,  but  who  had  become  ^  British  officer  and  aii  al- 
ly to  the  savages.    Base  indeed  must  be  that  man,  whose 

i«ouI,  under  such  circumstances,  would  not  be  touched. 
Elliot  voluntarily  offered  his  services  to  the  friend  of  his 
vouth,  his  countryman,  promised  to  take  him  under  liis 
special  protection,  and  to  transport  him  to  Maiden ;  but 
whether  his  heart,  naturally  vile,  soon  changed  its  pur- 
pose,  or  whether  forbidden  by  Proctor,  he  gave  himself 
no  further  concern  on  the  subject.  The  next  day  a  par- 
ty of  Indians  came  into  the  room  where  he  lay,  and  tore 
him  from  his  bed ;  he  was  then  carried  to  another  apart- 
ment by  one  of  his  brotlier  officers,  where  he  soon  experi- 
enced the  same  treatment.  He  then,  by  the  offer  of  a 
large  sum  of  money,  induced  some  Indians  to  take  him  to 
Maiden ;  they  had  proceeded  but  a  short  distance,  when 
they  dragged  him  from  his  horse,  shot  him  and  scalped 
him.  The  same  species  of  suffering  was  undergone  by 
colonel  Allen,  by  captains  Hickman,  WoolfoTk,  and 
M'Cracken.  Many  of  the  choicest  sons  of  Kentucky  had 
been  ofthis  ill-fated  band;  we  may  name  Mr.  Simpson, 
a  member  of  congress,  captains  Bledsoe,  Matson,  Hamil- 
ton, Williams,  and  Kelly,  and  majors  Madison  and  Bal- 
lard. With  the  exception  of  three  companies  of  United 
States  infantry  under  captains  Hightower,  Collier,  and 
Sabrie,  they  were  all  the  volunteers  of  that  patriotick 
state.  On  the  evening  succeeding  the  enga|;ement,  rum 
was  distributed  to  the  Indians,  for  a  frolick,  in  which 
they  were  disposed  to  indulge,  and  we  may  easily  sup- 
pose what  was  the  nature  of  their  infernal  orgies. 

Proctor  now  beginning  to  fear  the  consequences  of  the 
infamy  attached  to  his  conduct,  offered  a  price  for  those 
prisoners,  whom  the  Indians  still  preserved ;  those  prison- 
ers Who  had  surrendered  on  the  faith  of  a  capitulation 
with  him,  and  whom  he  ought  never  to  have  abandoned. 
The  humane  inhabitants  of  Detroit,  had  already  exhibit* 
ed  a  degree  of  tenderness  and  solicitude  for  their  int- 
fortunate  countrymen,  which  will  ever  entitle  ih^hi  to 
our  gratitude  and  esteem.  Many  of  them  parted  with 
every  thing  they  possessed  of  valii^  for  the  purchase  of 


% 


lt)8 


HISTORY  OF  THE  WAR. 


the  prisonei-s ;  for,  to  the  disgrace  of  the  British  arms 
must  it  be  recorded,  persdns  of  the  first  respectahihtj, 
who  composed  this  Spartan  band,  were  suffered,  under 
the  eyes  of  colonel  Proctor,  to  be  hawked  about  the 
streets  from  door  to  door,  and  offered  for  sale  like  beasts! 
The  only  restraint  on  the  cruelty  of  the  savage  wretchcii, 
arose  from  permitting-  them  to  consult  their  avarice. 
Even  such  prisoners  as  were  more  fortunate,  no  matter 
what  their  rank  or  character,  were  treated  with  every 
Apecies  of  contumely  and  contempt. 

Thf  conduct  of  the  people  at  Detroit  was  such  as  might 
be  expected  from  humane  Americans.  Every  class  of  peo- 
ple eagerly  sought  opportunities  of  redeeming  the  unfor* 
tunate  sufferers^  The  female  sex,  ever  the  foremost  in  acts 
of  benevolence  and  in  sympathy  for  the  distressed,  weie 
particularly  distinguished;  they  gladly  ^ave  their  shawls, 
and  even  the  blankets  from  their  oeds,  when  nothing  else 
remained  for  them  to  give.  Woodward,  the  former 
judge  of  the  supreme  court,  and  appointed  by  the  Presi* 
dent  of  the  United  States,  a  man  ot  o-niightened  mind,  now 
openly  and  boldly  remonstrated  with  Proctor,  and  in  the 
manly  tone  of  his  injured  country  depicted  the  infamy  of 
the  British  conduct.  *^  The  truth,'?  said  he,  *<  must  un* 
doubtedly  eventually  appear,  and  that  unfortunate  dajr 
must  meet  the  steady  and  impartial  eye  of  history." 
Those  facts  have  been  established  by  a  cloud  of  witnt  sses, 
and  the  appeal  of  judge  Woodward  will  reach  posteiHy. 
Let  the  reader  of  this  history,  now  remember,  that  this 
was  but  the  commencement  of  a  series  of  barbarities,  both 
npotk  the  Atlantic  board,  and  upon  the  frontier,  which  y,u 
Afterwards  systematically  pursued :  that  so  far  from  this 
having  been  covered  by  tiie  base  excuse  of  retaliation,  it  is 
a  charge  which  has  never  otherwise  been  met  by  Britain 
but  with  the  silence  of  conscious  guilt. 

There  can  be  nothing;  more  delightful  to  a  good  man 
than  tJie  reflection  that  Tie  lives  in  the  heart  of  gratitude. 
What  is  all  earthly  pageantry,  er  power,  or  wealth,  com* 
pared  to  the  pleasure  of  a  nobk  mind,  in  the  conteropla- 
tiuu  «f  the  bright  s^ure  of  its  virtuous  ectiuns !  W  ho  would 


HISTORY  OF  THE  WAR. 


1«» 


Lot  be  a  M'latosh,*  to  experience,  whereTer  he  goeS)  the 
unfeigned,  the  full,  the  anectins  homage  of  nature,  fron 
the  beings,  whom  at  the  nsk  of  his  life,  and  at  the  ex- 
pense of  his  ample  fortune,  he  saved  trom  the  horrid 
I  massacres !  Whose  name  parents  teach  their  children  to 
bless;  and,  delightful  reward  of  virtue,  families  indebt- 
ed  to  him  for  their  existence,  cling  around  him  with  tear- 
'  fui  gratitude,  when  he  visits  these  shores  on  which  they 
I  have  found  a  home  i  The  page  shall  brishten  which  con- 
tains the  name  of  Augustus  B.  Woot^ard ;  «  who  (to 
use  the  expression  of  an  American,  who  acknowledged 
him  bis  benefactor)  was  the  life  and  soul  of  the  Ameritanti 
[who  remained;  to  whom  they  all  looked  up  for  succour 
in  the  hour  of  difficulty,  for  advice  on  every  occasion." 
[His  zeal  and  industry  were  unwearied,  and  to  his  exer* 
[tiansmany  a  fomily  is  indebted  for  the  restoration  of  the 
[tenderest  relative,  a  father,  a  son,  or  a  brother. 

The  indignation  of  the  American  officers  was,  on  one 
[occasion,  nobly  expressed.      Wiien  at  Fort  Greorge,  all 
[except  general  Winchester  and  some  others,  were  per- 
mitted to  return  home  on  their  parole;  when  the  paper 
was  presented  for  signature,  they  demanded  to  Know 
ioiio  were  his  inajesty^s  (diiesP  Insolence  and  guilt  were 
sti^^red  at  the  question.     Ashamed  to  own  their  savase  .>. 
allies,  they  replied,  his  majesty^s  allies  are  knowtii  Truff 
I  they  were  known,  they  were  known  like  the  blood-hottnds 
of  Pizarro ;   they  were  known  to  the  disgrace  of  their 
employers. 

Never  did  any  calamity  so  deeply  ailect  the  sensibili- 
ties of  a  people.  All  Kentucky  was  literally  in  mourti" 
ing  ;  for  the  soldiers  thus  massacred,  tortured,  burnt^  or 
denied  the  common  rites  of  sepulture,  were  of  the  most 
respectable  families  of  the  state;  many  of  them  young 

*  Mr.  Mintosh  several  times  visited  this  country.  The  ex- 
pression of  g^titude  from  thousands  whom  he  saved,  was  almost 
overwhelming.  There  we  few  scenes  in  the  annals  of  history,  9ie 
in  the  fictions  of  the  poets,  so  sublimely  ulfecting,  as  those  wbicli 
occurred  when  this  ^od  man  visited  Baltimore  and  New-Orleans. 
In  these  places  particularly,  the  unfortunate  people  were  receiv- 
ed with  open  arms,  and  new  live  in  comfort  and  respectability. 

10 


Ii(» 


HISTORY  OF  THE  WAR. 


inen  of  fortuiie  and  property,  with  numerous  friends  ani 
relatives. 

It  wouM  b^  unjust,  in  this  common  anathema,  to  includt  i 
nil  the  British  officers ;  the  names  of  some  deserve  to  bt 
irescued  from  this  indelible  reproach;  major  Muir,  cap. 
luns  Atkins,  Curtis,  Dr.  Bdwen,  and  the  reverend  Mr. 
Farrow.    Elliot  was  also  spoken  of  in  favourable  tenni 
by  the  American  officers,  as  having  on  some  occasioni 
interested  himself  for  the  sufferers.    Enough  has  Ge^ 
tainly  been  said  on  this  distressing  subject;  one  part, 
Jiowever,  can^iot  be  omitied.     Proctor,  perceiving  tiirj 
fUgemess  of  the  people  of  Detroit  in  pun  basins  th; 
uimappy  captives,  actually  issued  an  order  prohibiting 
any  further  purchases,  on  the  ground  that  they  gav« 
more  than  the  government.    This  officer  was  afterwardi 
promoted  to  the  rank  of  a  brigadier,  in  consequcnctj 
of  his  good  conduct,  particularly  in  saving  the  prison^j 
ers  from  the  fury  of  the  Indians.    If  any  thing  caul 
move  indignation,  it  is  this  climax  of  insult    It  is  thu 
tbki  Great  Britain  wilfully  shuts  her  eyes.    The  facd 
msre  afterwards  proved  to  the  sati^action  of  every  maD,] 
ftnd  the  British  government  was  silent;  but  haf*  not  tltel 
mMrnaumity  to  consign  the  guilty  wretch  to  punishment 

The  ir.ci4ent8  of  this  catastrophe  might  be  swelled  toi 
V^ume.  A  few  days  after  the  afi^ir,  a  doctoi*  M^Keehan 
HfWi  despatched  by  general  Harrison  for  the  purpose  of 
attending  the  sick,  and  with  gold  tu  provide  such  thin|^ 
as  they  might  want.  The  doctor,  notwithstinding  hii 
SU^f  his  sacred  errand,  and  an  open  letter  d  rected  to  any 
JBritbdi  officer,  stating  the  object  of  his  mission,  was  ac- 
IbiaUy  wounded  and  robbed,  then  dragged  to  Maiden, 
whence  he  was  taken  to  Quebec.  After  tne  sufferings  of 
a«>veral  months,  drasged  from  place  to  place,  from  dun* 

S:on  to  dungeon,  sufferings  which  could  hardly  occur  on 
e  banks  ot  the  N^er,  he  at  length  reached  home,  with 
•  constitution  totally  impaired,  tsuch  are  the  distressing 
lieeurreuces  which  it  becomes  the  painful  duty  of  the  his* 
torian  to  record.  The  heart  sickens  at  the  contemplation 
of  so  much  depravity.  Why  are  so  much  pains  taken  to 
make  us  hate  the  name  of  Englishman  P   This  is  far  from 


HiSTonv  or  rnt  war. 


tit 


meing  the  wish  of  Ameri'^anfi.  Such  conduct  is  not  t6  bt 
accounted  fur,  unless  it  proceeds  from  a  deeply  rooted  hft* 
tred  on  the  part  of  the  British  gi^vernment.  We  know 
thit  pains  hitve  been  taken  to  cherish  in  the  minds  of  tfid 
!  piopfe  ot  England)  a  cor  tempt  for  our  national  character|- 
I  we  know  that  hired  calumniators  have  represented  us  ai 
a  i»^:<^  race,  to  whom  the  courtesies  of  civilized  lifis 
caLnot  be  extended,  because  they  cannot  be  reciprocilK 
The^e  things  must  have  an  end,  or  a  day  of  terrible  retri« 
bution  will  come  at  last. 

The  news  of  this  melancholy  affair  .^ Jon  after  reached 
general  Harrison,  who  was  on  his  march  with  teinforce* 
ments  to  general  Winchester.  He  had  heard  with  cha-^ 
erin  the  movements  of  that  officer,  and  apprehensive  of 
8ie  consequence,  had  ordered  a  detachment  of  three  han« 
dred  men,  under  major  Cotgrevea,  from  general  Perking^ 
brigade  of  Ohio  militia,  to  march  to  his  relief.  Hearing 
ef  the  disaster,  they  fell  back  upon  the  Rapids^  wher^ 
general  Harriaon  was  then  stationed,  who  retreated  txk- 
Carrying  river,  for  the  purpose  of  forming  a  junction  witil 
the  troops  in  the  rear,  and  favouring;  the  cocvoy  of  artil* 
lery  and  stores  then  coming  from  Upper  Sandusky.  Hi 
M,  however,  despatched  a  chosen  body  of  one  hundred 
and  seventy  men  for  the  pwpose  of  picking  up  soch  of 
tiie  unfortunate  fugitives  as  might  have  escaped^  tkn 
number  of  these  was  very  small,  on  account  of  ^e  depth 
of  tike  snow,  which  rendered  it  almost  impossible  for  them 
to  make  their  way.  Governour  Meigs  bavins  promptly 
despatched  two  regiments  to  the  assistance  uf  Harriaoti^ 
who  agun<  advanced  to  the  Ranids,  and  immediately  set 
about  constructing  a  fort,  whicn  in  honour  of  the  gOTer-* 
noor  of  Ohio,  he  named  Fort  Meigs.  Fortifications  wtrt 
at  the  same  time  constructed  at  iJpper  Sandusky  by  sd* 
toeral  Cooks,  who  commanded  the  Pennsylvania  militia. 
Excepting  some  parties  on  excursions,  nothing  additional 
transpired  during  the  severe  winter  months.  The  move« 
ment  of  general  Winchester  had  considerably  derated 
the  plans  of  Harrison ;  and  it  «vas  necessary  to  oi^atiizo* 
ft  new  system. .  He  returned  to  Ohio,  for  tne  purpose  (^ 
obtaining  an  additional  force  from  that  state}  and  Ken* 


-"%■ 


US 


HISTORY  OF  THE  WAR. 


tucky.    Towards  the  beginningjtf  April,  he  received  ia. 
formation  which  hastened  his  return  to  Fort  Meigs. 

The  enemy  for  some  tiir  had  been  collecting  in 

considerable  numbers,  fort.,  purpose  of  laying  siege  to 
this  place ;  and  as  the  new  levies  had  not  arrived,  the 
Pennsylvania  brigade,  although  its  term  of  service  had 
expired,  generously  volunteered  for  the  defence  of  th«  I 
fort.    Immediately  on  his  arrival,  general  Harrison  set 
about  making  preparations  for  the  approaching  siege.— 
The  fort  was  situated  upon  a  rising  ground,  at  the  dig. 
tance  of  a  few  hundred  ^ards  from  the  river,  the  country 
on  each  side  of  which  is  chiefly  natural  meadows.    Tht 
garrison  was  well  supplied  with  the  means  of  defence, 
and  Harrison,  with  unremitted  exertions,  laboured  ni^tJ 
and  day,  to  improve  its  capacity  for  resisting  the  sieee.] 
The  assistance  of  ca}>taiu9  Wood  and  Gratiot,  his  pnnJ 
qipal  engineers,  enabled  him  to  put  in  practice  whateTer] 
was  necessary  to  improve  his  fortifications.    The  troopij 
in  the  fort,  to  the  number  of  twelve  hundred,  the  ^reaterj 
part  volunteers,  were  in  high  spirits,  and  determmedto 
defend  themselves  to  the  utmost.    On  the  twenty-eighth,! 
one  of  th«  parties  constantly  kept  out  for  the  purpose  of] 
noting  the  advance  of  the  enemy,  reported  that  he  wai 
in  ereat  force'  about  three  miles  below.    A  few  British 
and  Indians  showed  themselves  on  the  opposite  side ;  but 
a  few  shot  from  an  eighteen  pounder,  compelled  them  to 
retire.    A  despatch  was  now  sent  to  hasten  the  march  of 
general  Clay,  who  was  approaching  with  twelve  hundred 
militia  from  Kentucky.    These  brave  people,  so  much 
suflerers  during  the  war,  were  ever  the  foremost  to  meet 
danger,  and  the  first  to  fly  to  the  relief  of  their  friends. 
On  the  three  following  days,  the  enemy  was  occupied  in 
selecting  the  best  positions  on  either  side  of  the  river, 
around  the  fort,  whence  it  might  be  annoyed,  and  in 
erecting  batteries   on  the  opposite  side;   in  the  latter, 
they  were  considerably  impeded  by  the  fire  from  Fort 
Meigs ;  but  they  usually  availed  themselves  of  the  night, 
to  proceed  in  the  woik.    A  fire  of  small  arms  had  been 
kept  up  by  them,  which  was  returned  by  the  Americaa 


HISTORY  OF  THE  WAR. 


lis 


laTtillerjr)  but  without  any  loss  of  importance  on  either 

Bide. 

The  garrison  suffered  somewhat  from  want  of  water, 
Itheir  well  not  being  completed ;  and  it  was  attended 
Iwlth  great  risk  to  obtain  their  supply  during  the  night 
Ifrom  the  river.  l*he  perpetual  vigilance  necessary  ia 
Ibe  obMerved,  to  guard  against  a  surprise,  by  lying  con- 
Istantiy  on  their  arms,  was  calculated  to  wear  them*  down. 
lOn  the  first  of  May,  the  enemy  had  succeeded  in  mount* 
bsg  his  batteries,  and  opened  a  fire  with  one  twenty-four 
)under,  one  twelve,  one  six,  and  one  howitzer.  No  ma- 
srial  ii^ary  was. done  on  either  side:  the  commander 
IB  chief  made  a  narrow  escape,  a  ball  having  struck  a 
each  otk  which  he  was  sitting ;  and  some  days  before,  & 
lan  was  mortcdly  wounded  by  his  side.  On  the  third, 
additional  battery  was  opened,  at  the  distance  of  two 
jndred  and  fifty  yards  from  the  fort,  mounted  with  a* 
lortar,  and  a  number  of  bombs  were  thrown  $  but  this 
several  time»  silenced.  In  this  part  of  tiie  siege,- 
ia|or  Chambers  approached  the  fort  witli  a  flag,  and  for 
Ithe  first  time,  suinmoned  the  place  to  surrender.  Ho 
jstated,  that  the  British  commander  was  deairou»  of  spar-^ 
ling'  the  fusion  of  human  bloody  that  his  force  wa»  8(i> 
limmense  that  it  would  be  impossible  to  withstand  it;. 
land  that,  unless  the  Americans  threw  themselves  at  oncfr 
lupon  the  tender  mercy  of  Proctor,  they  might  expect  to* 
Ibe  massacred  in  cold  blood*  This  summons  was  receiy* 
ted  by  Harrison,,  with  the  contempt  and  indienatiooi  it 
Imerited.  To  look  for  mercy  from  the  hands  of  Proctor* 
lyet  reeking  from  the  murder  of  the  Kentuckians,  at  the 
Iriver  liaisfJD,  would  have  been  imbecility  indeed;  and  if 
Ihe  had  not  been  able  to  restrain  the  Indians  t^en,  hcnv 
Icould  he  now;  when,  acccording  to  his  own  account,  the 
Inumber  (^  Indians  collected,  was  greater  than  had  ever 
been  known.  The  commander  expressed  his  surprise,  that 
the  ^rrison  had  not  been  summoned  before ;  thiaat  least 
implied  they  tfaoueht  him  resolved  to  do  his  duty.::  and 
that  as  to  the  numBer  of  hifr^  force,  which  he  represented 
I  as  of  such  unusual  magnitude,  i"*  was  a  trick  which  be* 
[perfectly  undecstood.  lie  then  requested  major  Chjupoiw 


It4 


HISTORY  OF  THE  WAB. 


berfl  to  return  for  answer  to  general  Prociori  tliat  whili 
he  had  the  honour  to  command  an  American  fort,  it  should 
never  surrender  to  a  combined  fdrce  of  British  and  In.  | 
dians. 

The  sieee  was  renewed  with  great  vigour,  and  the  firin*  I 
was  hotly Icept  up  on  both  sides.  The  Indians  mounted 
•n  trees  at  some  distance  from  the  fort,  fired  into  it,  and 
killed  and  wounded  several.  On  tlie  fifth,  a  small  partj 
from  the  advancing  corps  under  general  Clay,  reached 
tiie  fort  with  the  information,  that  he  was  iii  his  beats 
not  many  miles  above.  Orders  were  instantlv  despatch* 
ed  by  tlie  commander  in  chief  to  the  general,  requiring 
him  to  detach  eight  hundred  men  for  the  purpose  of  land* 
ing  on  the  opposite  side,  and  destroying  the  enemy's 
batteries;  ana  in  the  meanwhile  he  projected  a  sortie 
aeiinst  those  on  the  side  of  the  fort,  under  the  command 
of  lieutenant  colonel  Miller,  of  the  19th  U.  S.  infantrj. 
This  simultaneous  attack  was  well  planned;  should  It' 
succeed,  the  enemy  would  be  instantly  compelled  to  raise  I 
tiie  siege.  Colonel  Dudley,  who  was  charged  with  the  I 
execution  of  the  order  by  general  Clay,  landed  his  men 
in  good  Ok  ier,  and  then  advanced  on  the  enemy's  cannon. 
The  four  batteries  were  carried  in  an  instant,  and  the 
9rtiiftH  regulars  and  Indians  compelled  to  take  to  flight 
A  lai^  body  of  Indians,  under  the  celebrated  Tecumseh, 
was  <Hi  their  march  to  the  British  camp,  when  they  met 
Ihe  inotives  $  this  body  was  instantly  ordered  to  form  an 
■mbttui,  and  wait  the  approach  of  the  Americans :  and, 
tpdiecoy  them,  a  few  Indians  shewed  themselves  out  of 
Ihe  woods,  as  if  to  renew  the  action.  Colonel  Dudley 
having  eiecuted  his  orders,  commanded  a  retreat^  but 
Ins  men,  fluked  with  victory,  and  roused  with  the  desire 
nf  revencing  their  slaughtered  countrymen,  pushed  for* 
ward  with  irresistible  impetuosrty«  Their  commander  in 
vain  attempted  to  check  their  career;  he  even  turned  his 
n^ntoon  against  them ;  but  nothing  could  restrain  tiiem^ 
In  a  few  moments,  tiiey  found  themselves  surrounded  br 
tturee  times  their  number.  A  desperate  fi^ht  now  ensued, 
which  was  followed  by  a  slaughter  of  we  Kentuckians, 
nUnoit  a»  terrible  as  that  at  the  river  Raisin^  though  not 


#• 


HISTORY  OF  THE  WAR. 


ns 


to  the  same  extent  after  the  battle.  The  chief  who  now 
commanded,  was  of  a  much  more  generous  character 
khan  Round  Head  or  Proctor ;  and  even  on  the  field  of 
Mile  personally  interposed  to  save  those  who  yielded. 
Bat  one  hundred  and  thy  made  their  escape ;  the  rest 
were  either  killed  or  missing.  Colonel  Dudley  attempt* 
ed  to  cut  his  way  through  to  tiie  river;  but  was  killed, 
havine  himself  slain  an  Indian  after  he  was  mortally 
wottoded.  The  other  party,  under  general  Clay,  landed 
upon  the  side  of  the  fort,  and  was  near  beins  drawn  in 
like  manner  into  an  ambush,  when  general  Harrison  or- 
dered a  tit)op  of  horse  to  sally  out  and  cover  their  retreat. 

The  impetuosity  of  colonel  Dudley's  party,  in  some 
measure,  oisconcerted  the  plan  of  the  sortie  under  colonel 
Miller.  Notwithstanding  this,  he  sallied  forth  at  the  head 
[of  three  hundred  men,  assaulted  the  whole  line  of  thdr 
works,  manned  by  three  hundred  and  fift^  regulars  and 
five  hundred  Indians,  and  after  several  brilliant  charges, 
drove  Uie  enemy  from  their  principal  batteries,  spiked  the 
eannon,  and  returned  to  the  fort  with  forty-two  prisoners. 
The  first  charge  was  made  on  the  Canadians  and  Indians 
by  major  Alexander's  battalion ;  the  second  by  colonel 
Miller,  afiainst  the  regulars;  the  officers  of  these,  were 
Croean,  Langham^  Bradford,  a  gallant  officer,  Nearin^ 
and lieuteuant  Campell,  and  a  company  of  Kentucki- 
aos,  cammanded  by  captain  Sabrie,  who  had  distin- 
guished himself  in  the  battle  of  French-town :  this  compa^ 
ny  was  particularly  remarked ;  it  maintained  its  ground 
with  unsnidcen  firmness,  at  one  time,  against  four  times 
their  numbers;  they  were  entirely  surrounded,  and 
would  have  been  cnt  off^,  had  not  lieutenant  G^ysne,  of 
the  19th,  charged  the  enemy,  and  released  them. 

A  cessation  of  hostilities  took  place  during  the  three 
following  days  ;  flags  frequently  passed  between  the  be* 
(■lexers  and  the  besieged,  a7id  arrangements  were  enter- 
ed rato  for  tlie  exchange  of  prisoners.  Tecumseh  agreed 
to  release  his  claim  to  the  persons  taken  by  the  Inaiansy 
provided  some  Wyandots,  to  the  number  of  forty,  wem 
delivered  up ;  and  Proctor  promised  to  furnish  a  list  of 
the  killed^  wounded^  and  prisoners }  witb  this^  however^ 


m 


116 


HISTORY  OF  THE  WAR. 


he  never  complied.  On  the  ninth,  the  enem^  appeared 
to  be  engaged  in  making  preparatious  for  raising  the  siege^ 
a  schooner,  and  some  gun-boats  had  been  brought  up  dur* 
ing,  tho,  night,  for  the  purpose  of  embarking  their  artilie. 
ry ;  a  few  shot  from  the  fort  compelled  them  to  relinquish 
this  design,  and  at  ten  o'clock,  they  raised  the  siege,  and 
moved  oft'  with  their  whote  force. 

Thus  terminated  a  siege  of  thirteen  days,  in  wIugIi 
our  enemies  were  taught,  that  in  future  they  must  ex* 
pect  ta  meet  with  resistance  diflereut  from  that  which 
they    had  experienced  from  Hull;  and  that,    if  they 
should  succeed  in  taking  an  American  garrison,  it  must  j 
be  after  severe  fighting.    The  loss  of  the  Americans  ia 
th»  fort,  was  eighty -one  killed^  and  one  hundred  and  { 
eighty -nine  wounded.    The  loss  of  the  Kentuckians,  as 
usual,  was  much  the  most  severe,  bavins  upwards  of  se'J 
venty  killed  and  wounded^  besides  the  loss  under  co'i 
lonel Dudley.    This  officer  was  much  regretted;  few 
mea  in  Kentucky  were  more  generally  esteemed ;  his 
body^  after  much  search,  was  found  unburied,  and  horri. 
biy  mangled.    I;(e  was  interred,  t<^ther  with  some  of 
his  companions,  with  the  honours  of  vfhr. 

The  force  under  general  Proctor  was  reported  at  five 
hundred  and  fifty  regulars,  eight  hundred  militia,  and 
at  least  fifteen  hundred  Indians,  who  fought  with  great 
covrage,  and,  on  several  occasions,  rescued  tiieir  allies 
in  Uie  sorties  from  the  garrison.  On  the  day  of  the  last 
a^ir,  Tecumseh  arrived  in  person,  with  tiie  largest 
body  of  Indians  that  had  ever  been  collected  on  the 
northern  frontier ;  and  had  not  the  sortie  taken  place,  it 
ia  pt'obable  the  situation  of  the  army  would  have  been 
extremely  critical.  The  Indians,  after  the  battle,  accord* 
ing  to  the  custom  which  pKvails  amongst  them,  had  re- 
turned to  their  villages  in  spite  of  the  exertions  of  T e- 
eumseh,  and  his  subordinate  chiefs.  Thus  weakened. 
Proctor  was  obliged  preeipitately  to  retreat,  leaving  he- 
hind  many  valuable  articles,  which  in  his  haste  he  was 
unable  to  carry  away.  Besides  the  American  officers 
already  named,  there  were  many  others  who  distinguished 
themselves  $  majoc  Ball)  an  active  officer^  ytm   was 


HISTORY  OF  THE  WAR. 


iir 


Ifrequentlj  coMpHmented  in  general  orders,    rendered 
rreat  service  during'  the  siege ;  captain  Cro^han,  on  one 
(occasion  made  a  brilliant  sortie  on  the  British  regulars ; 
[inajorB  Todd,  Johnson,  Sedwick,  Ritzen,  and  Stoddard, 
Iwere  mentioned  in  the  most  honourable  terms  $  the  latter 
man  of  distinguished  literary  attainment;  he  received  a 
severe  wound  of  which  he  afterwards  died.    Captain 
JButler's  Pittsburgh  blues,  which  behaved  so  handsomely 
[at  the  battle  of  Mississiniwa,  composed  chiefly  of  young 
gentlemen  of  Pittsburgh,  sufiereu  severely  ;  the  accom- 
plished young  officer  who  commanded  them,  was  a  son  of 
the  lamented  general  Butler,  who  fell  in  St.  Clair's  de- 
feat.   It  would  be  in  vain,  on  this  occasion,  to  enumerate 
11  who  deserved  the  applauses  of  their  country. 

After  the  sie^  of  Fort  Meigs,  offensive  operations 
rere  for  a  considerable  time  suspended  on  eitner  side, 
jotil  the  completion  of  the  naval  preparations  on  lake 
|£rie,  which  were  then  in  considerable  forwardness,  the 
Itroops  were  to  remain  at  Fort  Meigs,  and  Upper  San- 
Idusky.    Without  the  command  of  the  lake,  little  of  con* 
Isequence  could  be  eflfected  j  the  troops  would,  therefore, 
Icontinue  a  ^reat  part  of  the  summer  in  a  state  of  inac- 
tivity, awaiting  this  event.    In  the  mean  time  general 
I  Harrison  returned  to  Franklinton,  for  the  purpose  of  'oEf- 
ganizingthe  forces  expected  to  concentrate  at  that  place. 
A  deputation  from  all  the  Indian  tribes  residing  in  the 
state  of  Ohio,  and  some  in  the  territories  of  Indiana  and 
Illinois,  made  a  tender  of  their  services  to  follow  general 
[Harrison  into  Canada.    Hitherto,  with  the  exception  of  a 
small  band  commanded  by  Logan,  a  distinguished  chief 
land  nephe\(r  of  Tecumseh,  none  of  the  friendly  Indians 
I  had  been  employed  by  the  United  States.    The  advice  to 
remain  neutral,  could  not  be  understood  by  them;the^ 
considered  it  in  some   measure  a  reproach  upon  then* 
courage,  more  particularly,  as  several  hostile  incursions 
bad  been  made  of  late  into  their  settlements  by  the  hos- 
tile Indians ;  note  the  death  of  Logan.     General  Harri- 
son consented  to  receive  them  into  the  service  ;  but,  ex- 
pressly on  condition,  that  they  should  spare  their  prison- 
ers and  not  assail  defeaceUss  women  and  childvcn. 


118 


HISTORY  OP  THE  WAR. 


Although  the  settled  parts  of  the  countrj  were  shield. 
«d  from  tne  depredations  of  the  Indians,  they  still  con. 
tinued  to  attack  the  settlements  along  the  borders  of  the 
IiJke,  from  Frenchtown  to  Erie.  These  inroads  receif. 
ed  a  temporary  check,  from  a  squadron  of  horse  under 
HiajorBali.  This  officer  was  descending  the  Sandask; 
with  twenty-two  men,  when  he  was  firednpon,  bj  about 
the  same  number  of  Indiaois  in  ambuscade.  He  chained 
upon  them,  drove  them  from  their  hiding  places,  andafJ 
ter  an  obstiuate  contest  on  the  plain,  favourable  for  the 
operations  of  cavalry,  he  first  killed  their  chiefs ;  the 
savages  seeing  no  hope  of  escape  contended  with  dread- 
ful  fuiT  until  me  whole  band  was  destroyed.  During  the] 
heat  ot  the  fi^t  the  muor  was  4i*nu>unted,  and  had  i 
personal  conflict  with  a  chief  of  prodigious  strength,  and 
they  fought  w*>.  desperation,,  until  an  officer  shot  ' 
Inoian. 

We  now  return  to  tii*  eperaiions  of  our  armies  on  the] 
•NoHliern  frontiers,. events  of  a  very  important  character] 
having  trranspiced  in  that  quarter,  nnce  the  winter,  by  J 
which  hostilities  had  been  suspended. 


HISTORY  OF  THE  WAR* 


ltd 


CHAPTER  VII. 

I^ftfis^  preparations  in  Canada — Incursion  of  For8}/tke 
--Attack  on  Ogdenshurgh-^The  taking  df  York  and 
death  of  Pike, — Taking  of  Fort  George^-^BaHle  of 
Stmiey  Creeks  and  capture  of  wtnerals  Chandler  and 
Winder-^General  Brown  defems  Sackett*8  HatbouV'-^ 
BesignoHon  of  general  Jbearhome — The  town  of  So- 
dus  attacked — Batlle  of  the  Beaver  Dams—Second  tak" 
ingof  Fork — British  devastate  the  borders  of  Lake 
Champlaii>--Cruise  ff  commodore  Chauncey, 

luRiNG  the  winter,  Great  Britain  had  sent  a  number 
Df  troops  to  Halifax,  for  the  purpose  of  being  employed, 
lathe  spring,  in  the  defence  of  Canada.     The  recent 
luccess  of  the  allies  on  the  continent,  had  taken  away 
iny  disposition  she  might  have  had  for  a  peace,   as  was 
dearly  proved  by  the  rejection  of  the  Russian  mediation. 
Illie  militia  of  Canada  was  disciplined  with  great  care, 
land  from  the  greater  energy  of  the  British  governments 
lit  was  enabled  to  bring  them  more  promptly  into  service, 
land  to  retain  them  for  a  longer  term ;   wnereas,  during 
tthe  iMstyear,  from  the  war  beins  unpopular,  it  was  dif- 
ficult to  prevail  on  the  state  authorities  to  call  out  thoi 
militia;  and  volunteers,  by  which  the  war  to  the  west- 
hrard  was  so  spiritedly  carried  on,  come  forward,  in  the 
jnorthern  sections  of  the  union,  in  but  small  numbers* 
It  was  still  hoped  that  such  preparations  would  be  made, 
during  the  winter,  as  woula  lead  to  something  of  more 
importance  than  had  been  done  the  year  before,  although 
[the  golden  moment  for  the  conquest  of  Canada  had  pass- 
ed, ^he  British  having  so  strengthened  themselves,  as  to 
render  the  execution  of  such  a  project,  a  matter  of  extreme 
diiBculty.    It  was  thought,  however,  that  by  one  more 
vigorous  effort,  particularly  if  the  spirit  of  the  Northern 
States  could  be  roused,  and  the  nation  be  made  to  move 
forth  in  its  strength,,  something  yet  might  be  effected. 


11M) 


HISTORY  OF  THE  WAR. 


: 


If  a  complete  command  could  be  obtained  on  the 
the  whole  of  upper  Canada,  at  least)  must  fall  beforej 
winter. 

A  mutual  exchange  of  prisoners  had  taken  place, 
arran^ments  were  entered  into,  to  effect  this  in  future;! 
by  which  means  some  valuable,  officers,  taken  in  the  first 
campaign,  were  restored.    The  troops,  inlisted  in  thtl 
inidlana  and  northern  states,  were  marched  to  the  fron* 
tier,  and  all  the  necessary  supplies  and  munitions  of 
war  were  assiduously    collected  at  the  different  posts! 
along  the  line.    Excepting  some  partizan  affairs,  nothinjl 
of  consequence  transpired  during  the  winter. 

In  the  month  of  February,  a  party  of  the  enemy,  wh| 
crossed,  in  search  of  some  of  their  deserters,  committ 
many  wanton  depredations  on  the  houses  and  propert| 
of  the  inhabitants.  Major  Fersythe,  who  commanded  i 
Ogdensburgh,  resolved  to  return  the  visit.  Taking 
part  of  his  riflemen,  and  such  volunteers  as  offered*  some 
of  whom  were  private  gentlemen  of  the  neighbourhoodJ 
he  crossed  the  St. .  Lawrence,  surprised  the  guard  atl 
Elizabeth-town,  took  fifty-two  prisoners,  among  whoml 
were  one  major,  three  captains,  and  two  lieutenants;] 
and  captured  one  hundred  and  twenty  muskets,  twentrj 
rifles,  two  casks  of  fixed  ammunition,  and  otiier  pu'olick] 
property.  He  then  returned,  without  the  loss  of  a  single 
man. 

Soon  after,  it  was  discovered  that  the  British  medi* 
tated  an  attack  on  OgHensburgh.  Colonel  Benedict  called 
out  his  militia,  to  aid  in  the  defence  of  the  place*  The 
British  Appeared  on  the  21st  of  February,  with  twelve 
hundred  men.  This  force,  so  much  superiour  to  that  of 
Forsythe,  succeeded  in  expelling  hiin  from  the  town, 
but  not  without  a  sharp  conflict.  The  British  attacked 
in  two  columns,  of  six  hundred  men  each,  at  ei^ht  o'clr  :k 
in  the  morning,  and  were  commanded  by  captain  M^Don* 
nel,  of  the  Glen^Hry  light  infantry,  a  corps  trained  with 
peculiar  care,  and  colonel  Frazer  of  the  Canada  militia. 
The  Americans  kept  up  the  contest  for  an  hour,  with  the 
loss  of  twenty  men  killed  and  wounded ;  and  from  the 
ctol  and  deliberate  aim  of  the  riflemsv,  the  enemy  must 


HISTORY  OF  THE  WAR. 


Ul 


liave  lost  twice  that  number,  among  whom  wei'e  five 
I)fficer3  of  distinction.     A  flourish   was  made  by  the 
Jritiah  of  this  affair,  which,  judging  by  what  it  cost  them, 
ley  regarded  as  a  ^reat  victory ;  and  in  consequence,  a 
lessage  was  sent  with  the  news  to  colonel  M^Feeiy,  com> 
jianding  the  An^erican  garrison  of  Niagara,    informing 
Sim  that  a  salute  would  be  fired  from  Fort  George.    Th^ 
American  officer  expressed  his  satisfaction  at  being  able 
(o  return  the  complement,  as  he  had  just  received  intel- 
ligence of  the  capture  of  his  Majesty's  frigate  Java,  by 
in  American  frigate  of  equal  force ;  and  intended  to  fire 
t  salute  from  Niagara,  at  the  same  time,  in  honour  of  this 
[rilliant  victory. 
Bodies  of  new  levies  were  daily  arriving  at  Sackett's 
larbour,  and  the  vicinity  of  that  place.     To  convert 
new  recruits,  in  the  course  of  a  few  months,  into  effi- 
cient troops,  was  not  an  operation  easily  performed.    In- 
lefatigable  industry  was  displayed  in  this  essential  duty 
bj  Pike,  lately  promoted  to  the  rank  of  a  bri^dier,  in 
ponsequence  of  his  meritorious  services,  and  increasing 
eputation.    Pike  was  almost  cradled  in  the  camp ;  his 
ither,  a  revolutionanr  officer,  was  still  in  the  army,  but  to6 
far  advanced  in  life  ^r  active  service.     He  was  acquaint* 
ed  with  all  the  details  of  the  military  profession,  having 
served  in  every  grade  from  a  soldier  to  the  general.     I}e 
possessed  an  ardent  mind,  and  was  highly  animated  by  a 
Idesire  of  martial  glory  and  renown ;  mi  such  glory  anid 
[renown  as  were  compatible  with  the  welfare  of  his  coun- 
Itry.    The  models  which  he  had  placed  before  him,  were 
Isomewhat  of  a  romantick  cast ;  he  desired  to  combine  the 
Icourj^  of  the  soldier,  and  the  ability  of  the  commander, 
jwith  tnose  ornaments  of  character  which  become  the  man. 
fPike  was  already  a  favourite  in  the  United  States,  and 
[distinguished  as  the  adventurous  explorer  of  the  immense 
I  Western  desert,  traversed  in  another  direction  by  Le:<viii 
land  Clarke.    He  had  here  given  proofs  of  much  tortitude 
of  mind,  vigour  of  body,  and  great  prudence  and  intel- 
ligence.   His  zeal  and  activity  were  afterwards  conspi- 
cuous, in  the  success  with  which  he  formed  the  regiment 
plftced  under  hie  command.  He  was  beloved  by  his  troopS| 

n 


i9k 


HISTORY  OF  THE  WAR. 


inrhomhe  knew  how  to  engage,  and  into  whom  he  could  I 
infuse  a  portion  of  his  own  generons  spirit.  It  is  not  sun 
prisins,  therefore,  that  the  progress  in:ide  by  the  troops,! 
ittSackett's  Harbour,  under  the  unceasine  attention  of 
this  accomplished  officer,  should  be  unusally  rapids  Ko. 
thing  was  wanting  but  an  opportunity,  on  opening  of  the 
campaign,  to  lead  them  to  the  achievement  of  some  glo. 
rious  exploit. 

This  opportunity  was  not  long  in  presenting  itselC 
The  lake  was  no  sooner  clear  of  ice,  ttian  a  descent  oo 
the  Canada  shore  was  projected.  York,  the  capital  of  I 
Upper  Canada;  was  the  depot  of  all  the  British  militarrl 
stores,  whence  the  Western  posts  were  supplied.  Itj 
was  known  that  a  large  vessel  was  on  the  stocks,  anil 
nearly  completed.  The  importance  of  the  place  to  either] 
party  was  immense ;  and  should  an  attack  on  it  proTel 
iBUccessful,  it  mi^ht  he  followed  up  by  an  immediate] 
attack  upon  Fort  George ;  the  forces  then  concentrating,] 
lind  aided  by  the  fleet,  might,  with  every  prospect  ofl 
iioccess,  mo^e  against  Kingston.  | 

About  the  middle  of  April,  the  commander  in  chief,] 
in  conference  with  Pike  and  other  officers,  deteriuinedl 
on  attacking  York.     Major  Forsythe,  who  had  return'] 
ed  to   Ogdensburg  on  the  retreat  of  the  British,  was] 
ordered  with  his  riflemen  to  repair  to  Sackett's  Har- 
bour; and  commodore  Chauntey  received  orders  from 
the  Navy  Department,  ti  co-operate  with  general  Dear* 
Itorne,  in  any  plan  of  operations  which  he  might  wish  to 
carry  into  execution.    On  the  25th  of  April,  the  fleet  I 
nvQv^d  down  the  Lake,  every  arrangement  having  been 
made  for  the  projected  attack.    The  plan,  which  had  been  { 
principally  suggested  by  Pike,  was  highly  judicious,  and 
lathis  particular  request,  the  commander  in  chief  iatrust«| 
ed  him  with  its  execution.    On  the  27th,  at  two  o'clock, 
the  fleet  safely  reached  ttte  place  of  debarkation.    This 
commenced  at  eight  o'clock,  and  was  completed  at  ten. 
The  snot  fixed  on  for  this  purp6se  was  an  open  space  at 
the  rums  of  Torcnto,  the  lorraer  scite  of  the  fort,  about 
two  milfes  above  the  present  town  of  York.     The  British, 
'fa  discovering  the  fleet,  hastily  made  the  necessary  dispo* 


HISTORY  Of  THE  WAR. 


12S 


gitions  to  oppose  the  landing  of  the  American  forces. 
General  Sheaffe  advanced  from  tlie  garrison,  which  wat 
situated  above  York,  with  his  whole  force,  consisting  of 
about  seven  hundred  and  fifty  regulars  and  militia,  and 
five  hundred  Indians,  besides  a  body  of  grenadiers,  and 
I  a  corps  of  Glengary  fencibles.    The  Indians  were  placed 
!  in  the  thickets  at  the  water's  edge,  near  the  expected 
points  of  debarkation,  while  the  regulars  were  drawn  up 
on  the  bank,  and  partly  concealed  in  a  wood.    In  pur- 
suance of  the  plan  of  attack,  the  batteaux  carrying  For- 
I  gjthe  and  his  riflemen,  first  moved  to  the  snore ;  this 
I  appeared  to  be  at  the  point  where  the  principal  force  of 
I  the  enemy  was  stationed.    A  galling  fire  of  musketry 
land  rifles  was  instantly  opened  on  him.    To  have  gone 
:  higher  up  would  have  deranged  the  general  plan  ^  he  de- 
'  ^rminea  to  dash  at  once  into  the  thickest  of  the  enemy  f 
ijmt  first  ordered  the  oars  to  cease  a  moment,  that  he 
might  give  his  riflemen  s^  opportunity  of  returning  the 
fire. 

Pike,  who  was  attentively  watching  this  movement^ 
['observed  the  pause,  and  not  knowing  its  reason,  in- 
itantly  leaped  into  tlie  boat  provided  for  himself  and 
his  staff,  at  the  same  time  ordering  major  King  to  follow^ 
with  a  part  of  his  regiment.  Before  he  reached  the 
shore,  however,  Forsyme  had  landed,  and  was  closely 
engaged  with  the  whole  British  force.  The  detachment 
under  King,  consisting  of  the  light  artillery  under  major 
Eustice,  a  volunteer  corps  commanded  by  col.  M^Clure, 
and  about  thirty  riflemen  under  lieutenant  Riddle,  now 
landed  ;  and  Pike,  placing  himself  at  the  head  of  those 
first  formed,  ordered  the  rest  to  follow  rapidly ;  then 
gallantly  ascended  the  bank  with  this  handful  of  men, 
under  a  shower  of  bullets  from  the  grenadiers.  He 
charged  impetuously  upon  them  $  they  were  thrown  into 
disorder  and  fled.  Tnis  had  scarcely  been  achieved, 
when  the  bugles  of  Forsythe  aunuunceu  that  he  had  alsQ 
been  victorious  ;•  the  Glengary  fencibles  still  kept  up  an 
irregular  fire,  but  the  Indians  had  fled.  A  fresh  booy  of 
grenadiers  now  suddenly  issued  from  the  wood,  and 
made  a  desperate    charge  on  major  King's   regiment^ 


^d4 


HISTORY  OF  THE  WAR. 


which  by  this  time  was  drawn  up  on  the  bank;  at  first  it 
faultered ;  but  in  a  moment  was  rallied,  returned  to  the 
charge,  and  drove  the  enemy  from  the  field.  The  Brit. 
iah  were  again  seen  forming  at  a  distance ;  but  consider. 
able  reinforcements  having  by  this  time  landed  from  the 
fleet,  and  formed  in  column,  the  British  retreated  to  the  | 
garrison  below. 

The  whole  of  the  troops  having  now  arrived,  they  were 
formed  in  the  order  contemplated  in  the  plan  of  attack.  I 
The  different  bodies  of  troops  under  majors  Lewis  an^. 
Eustice,  and  colonels  M'CIure  and  Ripley,  were  dispos.  I 
ed  in  the  most  judicious  manner,  while  Forsythe  and  hii^ 
riflemen  were  to  act  on  the  flanks.    The  column  then  { 
inoved  forward  with  the  utmost  precision,  and  with  as  ^ 
much  regularity  as  the  nature  of  the  ground  would  permit,  I 
until  they  emeWed  from  tlie  wood,  when  a  twenty-four] 
pounder  openea  upon  them  from  one  of  the  enemy's 
batteries.    The  battery  was  soon  cleared,  and  the  co< 
lumn  moved  on  to  the  second,  which  was  abandoned  ou  I 
the  approach  of  the  Americans,    the  enemy  retreating  I 
to  the  garrison.    General  Pike  here  ordered  the  column 
to  halt,  for  the  pur{)ose  of  learning  the  strength  of  the 

Srrison,  and  obtaining  further  information;  as  the 
rracks  appeared  to  have  been  evacuated,  he  suspect' 
ed  a  stratagem,  to  draw  him  within  the  reach  of  some 
secret  force.  Lieutenant  Riddle  was  sent  forward  to 
liearn  the  situation  of  the  enemy.  In  the  mean  while,  the 
heroick  Pike,  as  humane  as  he  was  brave,  occupied  himself 
in  removing  a  wounded  British  soldier  from  a  dangerous 
situation,  and  after  having  performed  this  act  of  humani- 
ty, which  speaks  volumes  in  his  favour,  he  was  calmly 
seated  on  the  stump  of  a  tree,  in  conversation  with  a 
Serjeant,  who  had  been  taken  prisoner,  when  suddenly 
the  air  was  convulsed  by  a  tremendous  explosion.  The 
magazine,  at  the  distance  of  two  hundred  yards,  near 
theoarracks,  had  blown  up.  The  air  was  instantly  filled 
with  huge  stones  and  friigments  of  wood,  rent  asunder 
and  whirled  aloft  by  the  exploding  of  five  hundred  bar- 
rels of  powder.  This  was  tne  treacherous  attack  which 
the  British  had  prepared^  but  which  Pike  could  not  have 


HISTORY  OF  THE  WAR. 


125 


_lpected.    Immense  quantities  of  these  enflamed  and 
blackened  masses  fell  in  the  midst  of   the  victorious 
Bolaron,  causing  a  frightful  havock,  which  the  arms  of 
heir  enemies  could  not  effect,  killing  and  wounding  up* 
irards  vf  two  hundred,  and  amongst  tnem  their  beloved 
.Dmmander,  the  heroick  Pike.    The  brave  cokimn  though 
[for  a  mament  confounded  by  the  shock,  were  soon  called 
Ito  their  recollection  by  tne    national  musick,  Yankee 
JDoodle.    The  column  was  instantly  closed  up,  and  they- 
rent  the  air,  in  their  turn,  with  three  loud  huzzas ! 
The  wound  of  Pike,  a  severe  contusion^  was  soon  found 
ibemortal;  he  still,  however,  preserved  his  undaunted 
[spirit ;  '*  move  on  my  brave  fellows,  and  revenge  your 
eeneral,"  he  cried,  addressing  them  for  the  last  time.  This 
iity  instantly  obeyed. .  He  was  then  taken  up  by  some  of 
IMb  men,  to  be  conveyed  on  board  the  ship ;  scarcely  had> 
Ihe  reached  the  shore  of  the  Lake,  when  a  loud  and  victo- 
Itious- shouts  from  his  brigade  bri^tened,  for  a  moment^ 
[the  expiring  lamp  of  life ;  a  faint  sigh  was  all  hisstrcn^h 
would  permit  him  to  express.    Shortly  after  his  being 
carried  on  board  the  Pert,   the  British  flag  was  brought^ 
to  him;  at  sight  of  it,  his  eye  again  resumed  its  lustre 
I  for  a  moment,  and  making  signs  for  it  to  be  placed  un* 
derhis  head,  he  ^oriously  expired.    Thus  fell,  awar*- 
riour  who  will  live  with  honour  in  the  page  of  history. 
Brave,  prudent,   and  chivaK  ous,  he  was  adorned  with 
that  moral  exceiUnce  which  is  essential  totheaccom* 
{dished  soldier  and  the  real  hero.    Thus  falling  in  the 
very  day-spring  of  life,  we  can  but  feebly  anticipate 
what  the  ripened  age  of  so  much  promise  would  bring 
forth.    He  was  amiable  in  all  the  domestick  relations  of 
life,  strictly  observant  of  the  duties  of  morality  an^     ^li<> 
gion;  he  wag  a  sincere  patriot,  whose  chief  ambition  v.  aJ 
to  give  distinction  to  his  country.    With  him  tlie  Sci* 
pios  of  antiquity  were  no .  fables ; .  and  the  fate,  as  v^ell 
as  characterof.  Montgomery,  whose  name  he  bore,  were 
truly  his  own.    No  officer  ever  entertained  a  more  refin-^ 
ed  and  perfect  sense  of  honourable  warfare  $  as  a  proof 
of  it,  are  the  orders  which  he  gave  this  memorable  day^ 
that  any  of  his  soldiers«  who  should  molest  the  possessioftft 

11* 


126 


HISTORY  OF  THE  WAR. 


or  persons  of  the  inhabitants,  or  M>'antonly  destroy  the 
pubiick  property,  should  suffer  instant  death.     It  is  dif. 
ncult  to  say  whether  such  men  are  actuated  by  the  pre. 
Tailing  sentiments    of  their  country,  or  whether  they 
eive  an  original  tone  to  its  manners  and  habits  of  think*  | 
ing:  certain  it  is,  that  both  in  our  army  and  navy,  a  I 
species  of  refined  honour  and  generosity  has  uniformlj  I 
manifested  itself,  in  striking  contrast  with  the  conduct 
of  our  enemy,  who  has  elesewhere  exhibited  the  noblest 
traits,  but  who  seems  to  consider  this  new  world,  tool 
contemptible  a  theatre  on  which  to  appear  with  any  dig. ! 
nity  of  character. 

On  the  fall  of  general  Pike,  the  command  devolved  on! 
colonel  Pearce,  who  advanced  to  the  barracks,  wiiich  he 
found  already  in  the  possession  of  Forsy  the ;  the  enemy . 
having  retreated  to  the  fort.  There  being  now  no  person  \ 
acquainted  witii  the  plan  of  the  invasion  but  the  con).| 
mander  in  chief,  the  enemy  was  not  immediately  pursu. 
cJ  i  ntherwise  the  whole  of  the  regulars  and  pubiick] 
stores^  must  have  fallen  into  our  hands.  The  Americans, 
after  halting  a  short  time,  moved  on  towards  the  town ;{ 
and  drawing  near  it  were  met  by  officers  of  the  Can* 
ada  militia,  with  offers  of  capitulation.  This  produced 
-omc  delay  $  but  it  being  suspected  that  it  was  only  in- 
tended to  facilitate  the  escape  of  general  Sheaffe  and  the 
principal  part  of  his  regulars,  and  to  ^ain  time  while  they 
could  destroy  the  military  stores,  and  burn  the  vessel  on 
the  stocks,  Forsythe  and  Ripley  pushed  forward,  and 
were  soon  after  followed  bj  rearce.  The  strictest  ob- 
servance of  Pike's  order,  with  respect  to  the  treatment  of 
the  inhabitants  and  their  property,  was  enjoined.  At 
f  >ur  o'clock  the  Americans  were  masters  of  the  town. 
Although  with  just  right  they  might  be  enraged  at  tha 
conduct  of  the  British,  as  well  for  their  barbarous  and 
unmanly  attempt  to  destroy  them  by  a  mine,  as  their 
amusing  them  under  the  pretence  of  discussing  the  stip* 
■Illation  of  surrender,  the  troops  conducted  themselves 
with  the  most  perfect  order  and  forbearance  ;  perha[)8 
considering  this  the  best  testimonial  of  respect  for  their 
brave  leader.    The  stipulations  of  surrender  were  en- 


HISTORY  OF  THE  WAR. 


127 


tered  into  with  colonel  Peaixe,  at  the  very  moment 
the  British  were  engaged  in  the  destruction  of  the  pub« 
lick  property.  By, the  terms  of  the  stipulation,  the  troops, 
regulars  and  militia,  naval  officers  and  seamen,  were  sur- 
rendered prisoners  of  war  ;  all  the  puhhck  stores  were 
given  uj),  and  all  private  property  was  to  be  guaranteed 
to  the  citizens  of  York  ;  every  thing  relating  to  the  civil 
departments  should  be  respected ;  and  the  surgeons,  at- 
tending on  the  wouiided,  should  not  be  considered  as 
prisoners  of  war. 

On  entering  the  house  appropriated  for  the  sittings  of 
the  legislature,  a  discovery  was  made,  which  cannot 
be  spoken  of  without  feelings  of  indignation.  Among 
the  regal  trophies,  a  human  scalp  was  found  over  the 
mace,  near  tne  Speaker's  chair !  Other  nations  have  en- 
deavoured to  civilize  the  Indians,  by  inducing  them  to 
imitate  the  manners  of  the  Europeans ;  the  officers  of 
the  British  government  alone  have  taken  pains  to  pam- 
per their  savage  propensities,  not  merely  by  indulgence, 
Dut  by  adopting  their  horrid  customs.  A  human  scalp  to 
be  hung  up  as  a  trophy,  in  the  legislative  hall  of  a  civilized 
and  christian  people !  Can  we  now  wonder  at  the  brutali- 
ty with  which  the  war  was  conducted  towards  us  ?  Had> 
the  eloquent  and  virtuous  Chatham  lived  to  have  seen  this 
day,  what  must  he  have  thought  of  the  degradation  of  his 
countrymen  !  Would  he  not  have  renounced  the  name  of 
Briton,  thus  scandalized,  by  all  that  is  profane  and  inde- 
cent ?  Would  he  not  think  his  country  sunk  below  the 
level  of  civilized  nations,  in  so  far  setting  at  naught  the 
precepts  of  religion  and  humanity,  as  to  mingle  with  her 
regal  trophies,  the  detestable  symbol  of  cruelty,  which 
disgraces  even  the  savage  ?  Can  tliese  things  be  coun- 
tenanced by  the  enlightened  Enjylishman,  whose  famef 
whose  writings,  receive  a  second  life  in  this  country  ;  or 
will  he  not  disbelieve  that  his  countrymen  can  be  guil- 
ty of  such  atrocities  ?  For  we  who  huye  seen  and  felt 
tnem,  could  not  otherwise  have  believed  th^t  a  people,  wha 
display  so  many  virtues  both  in  peace  and  war,  should 
thus  forget  what  belongs  to  the  character  of  christian  men. 
It  seems  then,  whatever  their  conduct  may  be  on  tho 


isa 


HISTORY  OP  THE  WAR. 


other.stde  of  the  Atlantic,  that  in  this  new  world,  and  tq 
this  youthful  nation,  they  would  say,  by  the  horrible  sym* 
bol  of  the  scalp,  that  they  have  renounced  all  that  is  res- 
pectable among  civilized  men,  while  we  are  endeavour- 
ing to  emulate  the  actions  of  those  illustrious  Englishmen, 
whose  fame  their  degenerate  sons  have  disgraced. 

Notwithstanding  the  ample  cause  of  rage,  in  the  dis- 
covery of  this  additional  proof  of  the  disposition  of  their 
enemies,  the  soldiery  was  perfectly  restrained  from 
Gommittiuo;  any  acts  of  violence ;  they  marched  to  the 
barracks  the  same  evening,  with  the  exception  of  the 
riflemen,  who  remained  in  town.  No  part  of  the  house 
in  which  the  detested  scalp  was  founds  underwent  any 
injury  from  them  $  nothing  was  carried  away  except  the 
oaious  trophy  and  the  Speaker's  mace.  So  far  from  in- 
flicting any  injury  on  the  inhabitants,  a  considerable 
portion  of  the  publick  stores,  which  couild  not  easily  be 
transported,  were  distributed  among  them,  and  they  ex- 
pressed themselves  highly  satisfied  with  the  conduct  of 
the  Americans.  The  principal  civil  offices  of  the  place 
addressed  a  letter  of  thanks  to  general  Dearborne,  for  the 
strict  resard  which  was  manifested  by  the  troops  under  his 
command^  for  the  safety  of  the  persons  and  property  of 
the  inhabitants. 

The  commander  in  chief  landed  soon  after  the  fall  of 
Pike,  but  did  not  assume  the  immediate  command  untili 
after  the  surrender  of  tlie  town. 

Great  assistance  was  rendered  d  'j)g  the  engagement 
by  the  co-operation  of  commodore  €!^»uncey,  after  land- 
ing the  troops.  The  vessels,  in  consequcncie  of  a  con- 
trarjwind,  were  compelled  to  beat  up  to  their  several 
positions  with  great  difiiculty,  and  under  a  heavy  fire 
irom  the  batteries.  When  this  was  effected,  they  open* 
ed  a  galling  and  destructive  fire,  which  contributed  much 
to  the  success  of  the  attack.  lo  the  squadron*,  three  were 
killed  and  eleven  wounded  ;  among  tiie  first,,  midship- 
nen  Thompson  and  Hatfield,  both  much  regrettfed. 

The  loss  on  the  American  side  was  inccnsiderable  un- 
til the  explosion  of  the  infernal  machine,  which  caused 
it  to  amoimt  to  three  hundred  in  killed  luid  wounded. 


mSTORY  OF  THE  WAR. 


I8> 


Several  officers  of  merit  were  killed  or  wounded  b^  the 
explosion.  The  aids  of  the  eeneral)  captains  NithoU 
SOD  and  Frazier,  were  woonded ;  the  first  proved  instant- 
\]y  mortal :  alsO}  captain  Lyon,  captain  noppock,  lieu-^ 
Itenant  Bbomfieldy  and  many  other  valuable  officers. 
iMuch  praise  was  bestowed  on  lieutenant  colonel  Mit- 
Ichell,  of  the  third  regiment  of  artillery,  who  formed  the 
Icoluran  after  the  explosion,  and  throughout  the  whole  of 
jihe  affair  particularly  distinguished  himself.  Major 
lEustice,  captains  Scott,  Youns,  Walworth,  M'GIassin, 
lod  Stephen  H.  Moore  of  the  Baltimore  volunteers,  who 
lost  a  leg  by  the  explosion ;  Lieutenants  Irvine,  Fan- 
lineand  Riddle,  were  named  among  the  most  distin- 
uishedofthe  day. 

There  were  taken  from  the  British,  one  lieutenant* 
solonel,  one  major,  thirteen  captains,  nine  lieutenants, 
iieven  ensigns,  one  deputy-adjutant-^eneral,   and  four 
laval  officers,  and  two  hundred  and  hfty-one  non-com- 
missioned  officers  and  privates.     But  it  was  contended > 
hat  according  to  the  capitulation,  the  commanding  gen- 
eral, his  stafl^  and  all  his  regulars,  ought  to  have  been 
lurrendered.    There  was  certainly  an  unfair  procedure 
DB  the  part  of  the  British  general,  as  well  in  this  busl- 
Qes3,  as  in  the  destruction  of  the  publick  property,  after 
it  had  been  fairly  surrendered.    \Yith  respect  to  the  ex« 
plosion,  it  was  attributed  by  general  Sheafie  to  accident ; 
ind  as  a  proof,  he  mentioned  the  circumstance  of  forty 
of  his  own  men  having  been  billed  and  wounded  on  the 
retreat.    But  the  American  officers,  who  witnessed  the 
iffkir,  were  perfectly  satisfied  that  it  was  designed.     Af- 
Iter  the  connict  had  entirely  ceased  for  sometime,  and 
the  magazine  and  barracks  entirely  abandoned  by  the 
!Qetny,  the  American  column  at  rest  within  three  hun-^ 
Ired  yards,  the  occurrence  of  such  an  accident  is  almost 
impossible,  and  leads  to  a  conviction,  that  a  match  had 
jbeen  purposely,  laid,  intended  to  explode  on  the  approach 
lof  the  American  column ;    which,  hut  fur  the  fortunate 
jprecaution  of   their  commander,    would  have  involved 
Ithem  in  one  general  destruction.  In  further  proof,,  we  may 
[adduce  the  tact^  of  an  immense  number  of  stones  and  a 


130 


HISTORY  or  THE  WAIt 


quantity  of  old  iron,  evidently  collected  for  the  expreai 
purpose  of  causing  greater  havock.  It  is  certainly  unjust, 
on  light  grounds,  to  impute  to  the  Britisli  general,  acti 
ao  cHshonourable  $  and  but  for  this  last  circumstitQce  it 
mieht  be  regarded  as  the  unauthorised  act  of  some  base 
individual.  The  circumstance  of  a  part  of  his  owncu« 
lumn  having  been  overtaken  by  the  stMies  propelled  to 
an  immense  distance,  has  no  weight  in  his  exculpation; 
this  may  have  proceeded  from  not  having  calculated  with 
sufficient  accuracy  for  their  own  safety^  although  no. 
thing  could  have  been  better  timed  for  the  complete  de>| 
struction  of  our  gallant  countrymen.  Had  the  explo. 
sion  taken  place  in  the  midst  of  the  fight,  there  might  I 
then  be  room  for  supposition  that  it  was  the  resuli] 
of  accident;  but,  under  llie  circumstances,  that  thigj 
should  have  been  the  case,  appears  next  to  impossibles 
The  loss  of  the  British,  amounted  to  seven  hunared  an^l 
fifty  men  in  killed,  wounded  and  prisoners;  of  these,] 
the  killed  and  wounded  were  not  short  of  t\\(o  hundred;.] 
the  prisoners  amounted  to  fifty  regulars,  and  five  hundreiil 
militia.  Property  to  an  immense  amount  was  destroyed^l 
and  there  still  remained  to  the  value  of  at  least  half  i] 
million  of  dollars :  in  his  hasty  retreat^  general  Sheaffo] 
abandoned  his  baggage,  containing  all  his  books  and  pa* 
pers,  which  proved  a  valuable  acquisition.  Upon  thftl 
whole,  the  capture  of  York  was  a  brilliant  achievement,  i 
and  worthy  of  Pike,  its  projector.  It  was  the  first  dawn 
of  that  military  distinction,  to  which  we  afterwards  so 
rapidly  attained  under  the  gallant  officers,  whom  the  test 
of  experience  made  known. 

The  object  of  this  expedition  being  now  fully  attained, 
the  American  forces  evacuated  York  on  the  first  of  May, 
and  embarked.  The  fleet,  however,  did  not  leave  tbe 
harbour  until  the  eighth.  A  schooner  had  in  the  mean 
time  been  despatched  to  Niagara,  to  inform  general  Lewis 
of  the  success  of  the  expedition,  and  of  the  intended 
movement  uf  the  troops. 

The  next  thing  to  be  undertaken,  was  the  attack  of 
Fort  George  and  Fort  Erie,  which  had  been  unsucceisfullj 
Uttempted  the  year  before.    Commodore  Chauncey  hav< 


HISTORY  OF  TttE  WAR. 


131 


ing  the  command  of  the  lake,  troops  could  be  transport" 
ed  to  any  part  with  facility.  On  the  evening  or  the 
eighth,  the  troops  were  landed  at  Four  Mile  Creek,  so 
called)  froth  being  four  miles  distant  from  Niagara.  Th6 
text  day,  two  schooners,  under  the  command  of  lieuten- 
ant Pettigrew,  sailed  with  a  detachment  of  one  hundred 
men,  commanded  by  captain  Morgan  of  the  l^th,  for 
the  purpose  of  destroying  some  of  the  enemy's  stores  at 
tiie  nead  of  the  lake.  On  their  approach,  the  guard, 
about  eighty  men,  retired;  the  publick  buildings  were 
burnt,  and  the  party  returned  with  the  greater  part  of 
the  property.  On  the  tenth,  commodore  Chauncey  sail- 
Ud  to  Sackett's  Harbour,  for  the  purpose  of  leaWng  the 
ivounded  men  and  officers,  and  of  bringing  such  addi- 
tional  force  as  could  be  spared  from  that  place.  He 
again  sailed  on  the  twehty-second,  leaving  the  Pert  and 
I  toe  Fair  American  to  watcii  the  movements  of  the  ene- 
I  iny.  Two  days  afterwards  he  arrived  safely  at  Niagara, 
with  colonel  M*Comb's  regiment  of  artillery,  350  men, 
and  an  additional  number  of  guns. 

Arrangements  were  now  made  for  carrying  the  con* 
teroplated  enterprise  into  immediate  operation.  Com* 
inoaore  Chauncey  having,  on  the  twenty-sixth,  reconnoi- 
tred the  opposite  shore,  and  ascertained  the  best  placet 
^or  landing,  and  the  stations  for  the  smaller  vessel  to 
occupy ;  the  next  morning  was  fixed  Upon  for  the  attack. 
A  number  of  boats  were  made  ready ;  and  others,  which 
had  been  building  for  the  occasion,  were  launched  in  the 
afternoon ;  this  being  observed  by  the  enemy,  a  fire  was 
opened  upon  the  workmen,  from  a  battery  erected  for  the 
purpose  nearly  opposite.  This  brought  on  fi  severe  can- 
nonade from  tlie  forts  and  batteries,  which  continued 
fqr  some  hours,  and  in  which  the  Americans  had  the  de- 
cided advantage*  Fort  George  appeared  to  suffer  consi** 
derable  injury  ;  the  guns  of  the  American  battery  were 
directed  with  so  much  precision,  that  the  haWards  of  the 
flag-staff  were  shot  away.  The  buildings  of^^  ever^  des- 
cription around  the  fort  were  mnch  damaged,  while  the 
loss  on  the  American  side  was  very  inconsiderable.  All' 
the  boats  in  the  mean  while  passed  safely  to  the  encamp* 


IS2 


HISTORY  OF  THE  WAR. 


ment  at  Four  Mile  Creek  :  and  as  soon  as  it  grew  dark, 
the  artillery  was  put  on  board  the  Madisoni  the  Oneida,  I 
and  La^j  of  the  Lake ;  the  troops  were  to  embark  in  the 
boats  and  follow  the  fleet.     At  3  o'clock  in  the  morning, 
sienal  was  made  to  weigh;  but  in  consequence  of  the 
calm  which  prevailed,  the  schooners  were  obliged  to  re- 
sort  to  sweeps  to  gain  their  stations.    These  consisted 
of  the  Julia,   Growler,  Ontario,  Governour  Tompkins, 
Conquest,  Hamilton,  Asp,  and  Scourge ;  each  within  mug. 
ket  shot  of  the  shore,  and  skilfully  disposed  to  attack  the  I 
different  batteries,  and  cover  the  landing  of  the  troops,  I 
At  day  break,  generals  Dearborne  and  Lewis,  and  suits,  I 
went  on  board  the  Madison;  the  troops  being  now  all | 
embarked,  amounted  to  about  four  thousand  men.    The 
enemy's  batteries  immediately  opened,  as   the  troops'^ 
advanced  in  three  bri^des.    The  ^dv^nce  was  led  bj  1 
that    accomplished    officer  colonei  Scott,    who  had  so 
much  signalized  himself  in  this  place  the  year  before; 
and  was  composed  of  Forsythe's  riflemen,  and  detach." 
ments  from  various  infantry  regiments :  it  landed  near 
the  fort,  which  had  in  the  mean  time  been  silenced  by 
tlie  Governour  Tompkins.    General  Boyd^  to  whom  was 
assigned  the  brigade  lately  commanded  hjr  general  ?;ke, 
formed  the  first  line,  flanKed  by  the  Baltimore  and  \1. 
bany  volunteers,  under  colonei  M^Clure.     He  reached 
the  shore  immediately   after  the  advance  had  landed. 
General  Winder  followed  nelt,  at  the  head  of  the  se* 
cond  brigade,    and  was  imniediately  followed  by  the 
third,    under  general   Chandler.     1  he  wind  suddenly 
'.apringins  up  from  the  east,  -and  producing  a  considera- 
ble swell,  the  troops  from  the  Madison  and  Oneida, 
could  not  reach  shore  until  the  second  and  third  brijiades 
had  advanced  ;  M^Comb's  regiment,  and  the  marines  an* 
der  captain  Smith,  tlierefore,  did  not  reach  shore  until 
the  debarkation  had  been  completed^ 

The  advance  under  Scott,  consisting;  of  five  hundred 
men,  on  its  approach  to  the  shore,  had  been  exposed  to 
an  incessant  volley  of  musketry,  from  at  least  twelve 
hundred  regulars,  stationed  in  a  ravine.  This  spirited 
€0l|)8»  composed  of  the  flower  of  the  army,  moved  on  with* 


HrSTORY  OF  THE  WAtt. 


135 


out  faultering,  anil  for  a  few  minutes  returning  the  fire. 
As  they  drew  near  the  shore,  a  surprising  degree  of  emu- 
lation manifested  Itself  both  amongst  officers  and  soldiers ; 
many  of  them  leaping  into  the  lake,  and  wading  to  land. 
Captain  Hindman,  an  accomplished  young  officer  of 
the  second  artillery,  was  the  first  on  the  enemy's  terri- 
tory. No  sooner  were  the  troops  formed  on  the  beach, 
than  they  were  led  to  the  charge,  and  instantly  dispers- 
ed the  enemy  in  every  direction,  some  flying  to  the  woods 
for  shelter,  and  others  seekins;  refuse  in  the  fort.  The 
first  were  briskly  assailed  b^  Forsythe,  while  the  advanc- 
ted  corps  and  the  first  brigade,  under  general  Boyd> 
jvio-orously  attacked  the  latter.  The  prevailing  panick  had 
|sei2.ed  the  garrison,  which  made  but  a  feeble  resistance. 
[Fort  Niagara,  and  the  batteries  on  the  American  side, 
opened  at  the  same  time  ;  and  Fort  George,  now  being  un- 
tenable, tiie  British  laid  trains  to  their  magazines,  and 
retreated  with  precipitation,  having  abandoned  all  thfe 
I  works,  and  pursuing  dirterent  routs.  Colonel  Scott 
[and  iiis  light  troops  were  closely  in  their  rear,  when  he 
!  was  recalled  by  general  Boyd.  Lieutenant  Riddle,  with 
iiis  party,  not  receiving  the  order,  followed  the  enemy 
almost  to  Queenstown,  and  picked  up  a  number  of  strag- 
glers. The  light  troops  took  possession  of  Fort  George  $ 
captains  Hindman  and  Stockton  entering  first,  and  extin- 
guishing the  fire  intended  to  explode  the  magazine ;  the 
lormer  withdrew  a  match  at  the  imminent  hazard  of  his 
life.  General  Boyd  and  colonel  Scott  mounted  the  pa- 
rapet for  the  purpose  of  cutting  away  the  staff;  but  Hind* 
man  succeeded  in  taking  the  nag,  which  he  forwarded  to 
general  Dearborne,  and  which  was  immediately  replaced 
by  the  American  ensign,  while  the  troops  were  ordered^ 
iu  and  (juartered.  At  twelve  o'clock  the  whole  of 
the  British  fortifications  on  this  shore  were  in  posses- 
sion of  the  Americans.  The  enemy  had  moved  off  with 
such  rapidity,  that  in  a  short  time  nothing  more  of  them 
was  to  be  seen ;  and  our  troops,  having  been  eleven  hours 
under  arms,  were  too  much  tatisued  to  pursue  them  far. 
The  loss  of  the  British  in  this  afiair,  considering  the  time 
which  tiie  contest  lasted,  was  very  considerable*    They 

12 


134 


HISTORY  OF  THE  WAR. 


fiad  one  hundred  and  ei^ht  killed,  and  one  hunvlred  anj 
sixty  wounded,  who  fell  into  our  hands :  they  besides  lost 
one  hundred  ond  fifteen  regulars,  and  five  hundred  mili. 
tia,  prisoners.  The  loss  of  the  Americans  was  thirtt 
nine  killed,  and  one  hundred  and  eight  wounded; 
among  the  former,  lieutenant  Hobart  oT  the  light  ar- 
tillery ;  and  of  the  latter,  major  King  of  the  thirteenth, 
captains  Arrowsworth  of  the  sixth.  Steel  of  the  sixteenth, 
lioach  of  the  twenty -third,  {who  had  been  wounded  tht 
year  before  at  the  heights  -of  Queenstown,  and  was  pro. 
moted  to  the  rank  ot  captain  for  his  good  conduct  oi 
that  occasion,)  and  lieutenant  Swearingen  of  the  rille 
corps.  The  forty-ninth,  the  British  Invincibles,  was  ii 
ibis  aifair,  and  its  commander,  colonel  Myers,  wound- 
ed and  taken  prisoner.  The  action,  notwithstanding, 
was  fought  on  the  American  side  with  inferiour  numberg, 
the  advance  and  part  of  Boyd's  brigade  only  having  been 
actually  engaged.  Shortly  after  the  surrender  of  the 
fort,  the  lake  became  so  rough  as  to  render  the  situa- 
tion  of  tI»o  fleet  somewhat  dangerous.  Comniodor* 
Chauncey,  therefore,  made  signal  to  weigh  ;  and  accord- 
ingly stood  up  the  river,  choosing  a  place  of  safety  be* 
tween  the  two  forts,  he  there  anchored. 

High  praise  was  given  both  by  the  commodore,  and 
general  Dearborne,  to  the  forces  under  their  respectiv« 
commands.  Scott  and  Boyd  were  particularly  mention* 
«d  ;  the  commander  in  chief  also  acknowledged  biniself 
much  indebted  to  colonel  M.  Porter,  of  the  li<»ht  aitil- 
ler^,  and  to  major  Armistead,  of  the  third  regiment  ar- 
tillery, and  to  captain  Totten  of  the  endneers,  for  their 
skill  m  demolishing  the  enemy's  forts  and  batteries.  We 
here  find  the  first  mention  of  the  hero  of  Lake  Erie,  lieu- 
tenant commandant  Oliver  FI.  Perry,  wlio  had  volunteer- 
Sid  his  services  on  the  night  of  the  twenty -sixth,  and  had 
rendered  great  services  in  assisting  in  the  arrangement 
and  debarkation  of  the  troops.  Much  of  the  success  ol" 
the  enterprise  was  owing  to  the  judicious  plan  of  com- 
modore Cnauncey,  in  attacking  the  different  batteries  of 
the  enemy  with  his  vessels,  and  rendering  them  untena- 
ble.   General  Dearborne  had  beQu  much  indisposed ',  he 


HISTORY  OF  THE  WAR. 


1S5 


continued  to  command  regularly,  issuing  his  orders  frem 
jiisbed.    Lieutenant  Peirv  was  despatched  the  day  af- 
ter to  Black  Rock,  with  fifty  men,  fur  tlie  purpose  of 
[taking  five  vessels  to  Erie  as  soon  as  possible,  to  aid  in 
Iforming  the  squadron  preparing  at  tliat  place,  and  which 
fit  was  expected  would  be  ready  by  the  fifteenth  of  June^ 
0  commence  operations  in  conjunction  with  lAarrison. 

A  few  days  afterwards,  it  was  ascertained  that  the  ene- 
iniy  under  general  Vincent,  had  retired  to  the  Beaver 
Dams,  where  he  formed  a  junction  with  the  command 
of  lieutenant  colonel  Bishop  from  Fort  Erie  and  Chippe^ 
^va.  The  day  after  this  was  effected,  the  British  gene- 
al  retrea<eu  hastily  to  the  upper  end  of  Lake  Onta- 
0,  and  took  a  position  on  the  heights  at  the  head  of 
urlington  Bay,  his  force  it  was  supposed,  did  not  exceed 
thousand  men.  General  Winder,  at  his  request,  was 
etached  by  the  commander  in  chief,  in  pursuit,  witii  hig 
rigade.  Having  reached  Twenty  Mile  Creek,  on  the 
[second  day's  march,  the  general  received  informationi, 
that  the  enemy  had  been  reinforced  by  several  hundred 
men  from  Kingston ;  that  his  forces  besides  Indians,  and  a 
few  militia,  might  amount  to  fifteen  hundred  men:  tha 
Igeneral,  in  consequence,  thought  it  prudent  to  despatch  an 
o^cer  to  general  Oearborne  for  an  additional  force,  that 
under  his  command  not  exceeding  twelve  hundred  infan- 
try, exclusive  of  the  dragoons  under  colonel  Burns,  and 
Tuwson's  artillery.  He  nevertheless  continued  his  march 
to  Forty  Mile  Creek,  where  selecting  a  good  position,  ho 
proposed  to  wait  the'  arrival  of  the  expected  reinforce* 
menu  This,  consisting  of  Chandler's  brigade,  in  a  short 
time  arrived,  after  a  rapid  march,  and  general  Chandler 
being  the  senior  olficer,  assumed  the  command. 

On  the,same  day,  the  united  force  proceeded  to  a  riyu* 
let  called,  StoneyCreek,  where  they  encamped,  having 
in  the  course  of  the  afternoon  skirmisiied  with  the  advancQ 
parties  of  the  enemy,  which  were  driven  in.  In  order 
to  secure  the  baggage  of  the  army,  which  had  been  con<f 
vcved  in  battcaux  along  the  lake  shore,  colonels  Christ- 
tie  and  Bwrstler,  with  their  respective  regiments,  the  13th 
jandUth,  were  detached,  to  take  a  position  atthedist 


»^»A,^ 


136 


HISTORY  OF  THE  WAU. 


tance  of  two  miles  from  the  main  body,  on  the  neck  of 
]and  which  divides  the  lake  from  Burlington  Bay,  and 
«n  the  road  from  Fort  George  to  York  and  Kingston. 
The  distance  of  the  main  body  of  the  British  was  about  | 
eight  miles. 

The  ground  occupied  by  general  Chandler,  was  thil 
high  bank  of  Stoney  Creek,  on  the  opposite  side  of  which 
tJiere  was  a  small  meadow,  and  the  hank  was  much  lower, 
He  halted  immediately  on  the  road,  as  the  centre  of  hiJ 
encampment.    The  5tn,  a  small  detachment  of  the  23i]J 
one  company  of  the  1 6th  infantry,   occupied  a  height,  a 
short  distance  on  the  left.    The  object  of  this  was  to 
prevent,  in  case  of  a  night  attack,  the  occupation  of  ground 
which  commanded  the  road ;  and  at  the  same  time,  thej 
could  witli  facility  be  wheeled  into  line  with  the  25th,  along 
the  high  bank  of  tne  creek.    The  light  artillery  of  ca|^taini| 
Towson's  and  Leonard,  was  posted  in  the  road  immediatelj] 
on  the  right  of  the  last  ir'^ntioned  regiment,  so  as  to  coinJ 
mand  the  road  in  thedi    ction  of  the  enemy.    Thecaval*! 
ry,  under  cobnel  Burns,  was  placed  in  the  rear,  to  be  reaJ 
dy  at  a  moment's  warning.     A  guard  of  eighty  or  an  hunJ 
dred  men,  was  posted  a  quarter  of  a  mile  in  advance,  atal 
wooden  chapel  on  the  road  side.    In  other  respects  the| 
usual  precautions  were  taken. 

The  situation  of  the  British  army  was  almost  hopeless).  I 
To  contend  openly  with  tiie  superiuur  force  of  the  AmerM 
cans,'' was  out  of  the  question.    No  possibility  of  escape 
re-nained  but  by  marching  through  the  thinly  inhabited 
country  towards  Detroit,  and  joining  general  Proctor; or 
attempting  the  fortune  of  a  night  attack.    The  first,  in 
their  present  deficiency  of  supplies,  was  considered  al*  I 
most  impracticable ;  the  latter  was,  therefore,  resolved  up* 
on.    The  existence  of  this  alternative  could  not  have  es«| 
caped  the  penetration  of   the  American  generals,  and 
therefore  the  necessity  of  the  utmost  precaution.    Tol 
the  ultimate  character  of  the  campaign,  the  capture  ofl 
the  British  would  be  of  the  greatest  importance  ;  as  the 
necessary  consequence,   the  contest    to  the  westward 
would  terminate;  for  it  would  no  lunger  be  possible  for 


HISTORY  OF  THE  WAR. 


13r 


n,  the  capture  of  I 


>roctor  to  hold  out  after  his  communicatioa  with  the  low- 
^r  provinces  had  been  cut  oft*. 

Until  late  in  the  evening,  the  95th  had  occupied  the 
j)eadow  ground  on  the  opposite  side  of  the  creek^  where 
Ihey  had  Kindled  fires  for  the  purpose  of  cooking,  but  to- 
wards midnight  were  withdrawn  to  the  position  assign- 
fed  tliem  on  the  brow  of  the  high  bank.    These  precau- 
Kons  had  well  nigh  proved  fruitless,  from  the  unaccounta- 
llle  nes^ligence  and  misconduct  of  the  main  guard.    Seve- 
il  of  the  sentinals  in  advance,  were  silently  bayoneted  by 
lie  enemy,  who  pushed  a  column  of  seven  or  eight  hun- 
|red  men,  passed  the  chapel,  whilst  the  guard  must  have 
leen  buried  in  sleep,  since  not  a  shot  was  fired  by  them. 
)n  approaching  the  fires  made  by  the  25th,  and  which  had 
lot  yet  been  extinguished,  they  raised  a  tremendous  In- 
lianyellj  expecting  no  doubt  to  bayonet  the  Americans, 
^hom  they  supposed  to  be  asleep  a  few  paces  from  them. 
This  yell  was  noost  fortunate  for  the  Americans,  who 
irere  instantly  roused  on  the  opposite  bank,  and  as  the 
)th  had  lain  on  their  arms,  they  instantly  commenced 
1  heavy  fire  oi.  the  British,  who  were  revealed  by  the  fires 
irhichhaddel'jided  them.  General  Winder,  who  command- 

the  troops  on  the  left  of  the  road,  succeeded  in  a  few 
aoments  in  stationing  the  greater  part  of  them  on  the 
ige  of  the  creek,  to  the  left  of  the  artillery,  and  joined 
[is  fire  with  that  of  the  25th,  which  was  by  this  time  re- 
amed by  the  enemy,  though  with  little  effect.  In  twenty 
linutesthe  firing  on  the  part  of  the  British  ceased,  and  as 
hey  had  become  invisible  after  passing  the  fires,  the  night 
eina;  excessively  dark,  it  wa» uncertain  whether  they  had 
etired,  or  meant  under  cover  of  the  darkness,  to  attack  with 
lie  bayonet ;  the  firing  on  the  part  of  the  Americans,  was 
tlso  ordered  to  cease.    Arrangements  were  rapidly  made 

receive  them.  At  this  moment  some  shots  in  the  rear 
If  the  army  induced  the  general,  who  was  apprehensive 
m  an  attack  might  also  be  made  in  tl  "vt  quarter,  to  order 
le  of  the  regiments  to  face  about,  and  take  such  a  posi- 
Ion,  as  would  enable  him  to  repel  it)  whether  made  on 
ink  or  rear.  Whilst  general  Chandler  was  directing 
lese  movements  on  the  right,  his  horse  fell  under  him  > 

IS* 


138 


HISTORY  OF  THE  WAR. 


after  recovering  somewhat  from  the  fall  which  had  stuQ.  I 
ned  him,  he  attempted  to  walk  towards  the  centre,  neat ' 
the  artillery,  where  he  and  general  Winder  had  met  from  i 
time  to  time,  to  receive  and  communicate  informatioo 
and  orders.     In  the  meantime,  favoured  by  the  excessive  i 
darkness,  which  had  been  increased  by  the  sraoke,the  ene- 
my stole  along  the  road  unperceived,  until  they  mingled  I 
"With  the  artillerists,  whom  they  drove  from  their  pieces. 
At  this  moment  gaueral  Chandler  found  himself  in  the  I 
midst  of  the  enemy,  and  was  taken  prisoner. 

General  Winder,  in  returning  from  maintaining  tlie 
dispositions  on  the  left,  met  with  a  part  of  the   16tli, 
which  had  either  never  reached  its  position,  or  had  fall. 
en  back,  and  was  posting  it  to  protect  the  artillery,  when, 
discovering  some   confusion  there,  he  rushed  forward  to  | 
ascertain  the  cause,  and  was  made  prisoner  in  attempt. 
ing  to  turn  back  what  he  supposed  to  be  the  American 
artillerists.    The  British  finding  two  pieces  limbered, 
drove  them  off,  overturned  one  or  two  more,  and  retreat- 1 
ed  with  precipitation  and  disorder.     Before  clear  day. 
light  the  enemy  had,  in  his  retreat,  covered  himself  from  I 
the  view  of  the  Americans  by  a  wood.     General  Vincent 
was  thrown  from  his  horse,  and  did  not  rejoin  his  troops 
until  the  evening,  almost  exhausted  with  fatigue.  Several 
gallant  efforts  were  made,  after  the  flight  of  the  enemy, 
to  recover  the  artillery.     Lieutenant  W.  M*Dono«gh 
prevented  the    capture  of    one  piece,   and  lieutenant 
M*Chesney  anotiier;  these  officers,  as  well  as  colonel 
Burn,  colonel  Milton,  captains  Hindman,  Archer,  Steel 
and  Leonard,  were  highly  complimented  in  general  or^ 
ders. 

The  American  loss  was  sixteen  killed,  and  thirty  eight 
wounded,  and  two  brigadiers,  one  major,  three  captains, 
and  ninety -four  missing.  I'he  loss  of  the  enemy  was 
much  more  severe,  particularly  in  officers  ;  one  hundred 
prisoners  were  taken.  Blame  was  attached  to  general 
Chandler,  who  commanded,  but  with  very  little  reason ; 
•till  less  of  general  Winder,  who  only  met  with  such  mis* 
fortune  as  the  bravest  and  most  prudent  are  subject  to. 
Had  the  enemy  been  immediately  pursued,  there  is  liMlo 


HISTORY  OF  THE  WAR. 


139 


doubt  they  would  have  fallen  into  our  hands.  Colonel 
Burn,  on  a  consultation  with  the  officers,  judged  it  most 
prudent  to  fall  back  on  Forty  Mile  Creek,  where  he  was 
joined  by  colonel  Miller's  regiment,  who  had  been  sent  to 
guard  the  boats,  and  generals  Lewis  and  Boyd,  the 
former  now  assuming  the  command. 

The  British  claimed  in  this  affair  a  splendid  victory. 
Tlie  accidental  capture  of  the  American  generals  would 
seem  to  give  it  the  appearance  of  one  ;  but  in  the  action 
they  were  certainly  beaten  with  great  loss.  Their  ob- 
ject, howcvef,  was  effected  by  the  attack,  though  not  to 
the  extent  which  they  had  anticipated.  The  credit  of 
this  affair  has  been  justly  given  to  colonel  Harvey,  who 
is  said  to  be  an  elegant  and  accomplished  ofilcer. 

A  flag  having  been  sent  into  camp  to  obtain  informa- 
tion of  tne  killed  and  wounded,  as  also  permission  to  bury 
the  dead,  but  merely  to  obtain  information,  general  Vin- 
cent immediately  despatched  a  messenger  to  sir  James 
Yeo,  advising  him  of  theposition  of  the  Americans.  On  the 
eighth  sir  James,  with  his  squadron,  appeared  abreast  of 
the  encampment,  and  within  a  mile  of  the  shore.  He  at- 
tempted to  destroy  the  boats,  and  warped  in  a  large 
schooner  for  the  purpose ;  but  captains  Archer  and  Tow- 
son,  in  thirty  minutes,  constructed  a  furnace,  and  opened 
a  fire  with  hot  shot,which  compelled  him  to  haul  off.  A 
party  of  Indians  now  appealed  upon  the  brow  of  the  moun- 
tain, but  were  soon  dislodged  by  lieutenant  Eldrige, 
who  gained  the  summit  with  a  few  volunteers,  before  tne 
detachment  which  was  ordered  for  tlie  purpose.  Sir 
James  now  demanded  a  surrender,  with  the  usual  story' 
of  Indians  in  the  rear,  a  fleet  in  front,  and  regulars  ap- 
proaching. This  artifice  had  grown  stale,  and  could  be 
played  off  no  longer.  Orders  were  now  received  from 
general  Dearborne,for  the  army  to  return  to  Fort  George ; 
the  greater  part  of  the  camp  equipage  and  baggage  were 
put  in  boats,  but  were  intercepted  by  an  armecf  schooner, 
and  twelve  of  them  taken*  The  army  broke  up  its 
encampment  about  ten  o'clock,  and  took  up  its  march  for 
Fort  George,  harrassed  nearly  the  whole  way  by  Indians^ 
who  hung  upon  its  flapks. 


140 


HISTORY  OF  THE  WAR. 


The  movement  of  general  Dearborne  against  the  Brit, 
ish  fortifications  on  the  Niagara,  had  well  nigh  cost  him 
dear.     The  British  having  obtained  information  of  it,  re> 
solved  to  seize  the  opportunity  of  the  absence  of  our 
troops  and  fleet,   to  attacic  Sackett's  Harbour.     Tiiey 
well  knew  the  importance  to  us  of  this  place.    It  was  the 
deposite  of  all  our  naval  and  military  stores,  both  those 
captured  at  York,  and  those  which  had  been  collecting 
for  a  year,  with  a  view  to   the  operations  against  Cana* 
da.     The  convenience  of  this  spot  had  caused  it  to  be  se- 
lected as  the  place  to  fit  out  our  navies  of  the  lake,  and 
great  quantities  of  timber  and  other  materials  were  here 
collected  for  the  construction  of  vessels.     The  new  ship, 
the  General  Pike,  was  on  the  stocks,  nearly  ready  to  be 
launched,  and  the  prize,  the  Gloucester,  lay  in  the  harbour. 
No  time  was  to  be  lost  in  carrying  into  effect  this  im- 
portant   enterprise.      Sir    George    Prevost  selected  a 
thousand  picked  men,  and  emkarked  them  on  board  the 
fleet  under  commodore  James  Yeo^     Scarcely  had  com* 
modore  Chauncey  arrived  at  Niagara,  when  sir  James 
shewed  himself  off  the  harbour,  with  the  Wolf,  the  Uoyal 
George,  the  Prince  Regent,  Earl  of  Moira,  ^nd  some 
smaller  vessels.  The  small  vessels  under  lieutenant  Chaun- 
cey, left  to  give  notice  of  the  enemy's  approach,  espied  the 
squadron,  on  the  twenty-seventh,  and  hastened  to  the 
harbeur,  firing  guns  of  alarn^    This  wa&  immediately 
followed  by  the  alarm  guns  on  the  shore,  to  bring  in  the 
militia,  aiid  to  give  notice  to  such  regulars  as  might  be 
near  enough  to  hear  them.    Lieutenant  colonel  Backus, 
of  the  dragoons,  had  been  left  in  command  of  the  place  ^ 
but  in  case  of  attack,  general  Brown,  then  at  his  resi> 
dence  eight  miles  off,  was  recj^uested  to  take  the  com- 
mand, although  his  brigade  of  militia  had  retired  to  their 
homes,  their  term  of  service  having  expiredr  The  whole 
regular  force  consisted  of  a  few  seamen,  lieutenant  Fan- 
ning's  artillery,  about  two  hundred  invalids,  not  exceeding 
in  the  whole  five  hundred  n;en,  and  colonel  Mills,  with 
the  Albany  volunteers  and  some  militia,  amounting  to 
about  five  hundred  more.  On  the  twenty-eighth,  the  ene- 
my was  seen  at  the  distance  of  about  five  mi^S;  and  seem- 


.  v,-.^-*- 


'fi 


HISTORY  OF  THE  WAll. 


141 


ed  to  be  standinj;  for  the  harbour,  when  a  fleet  of  Amcri-^ 
can  barges  was  discovered  coming  round  North  Point,  with 
troops  from  Oswego.    Their  attention  was  now  occupied 
by  these,  and  they  succeeded  in  cutting  oflf  twelve  of 
them  -f  and  taking  it  for  granted  that  there  were  many 
more,  they  stood  off  all  this  daj,  with  a  view  of  inter- 
cepting them.     In  the  meanwhile  general  Brown  was 
diligently  occupied,  in  making  arrangements  for  the  de- 
fence of  the  place,  in  which  lie  discovered  much  judg- 
ment.   But  a  small  part  of  the  ground  adjacent  to  the 
village  was  cleared,  the  rest  being  surrounded  by  woods. 
At  tne  only  point  of  landing,  a  battery  and  breast-work 
were  hastily  constructed,  and  the  militia  placed  behind 
them  ready  to  receive  the  enemy  as  he  landed,  and  to 
open  a  fire  upon  him  in  conjunction  with  the  artillery. 
The  regular  troops,  and  the  light  artillery,  were  station- 
ed in  a  second  line  nearer  the  barracks  and  publtck  build- 
ings.   On  the  approach  of  the  enemy's  boats,  which  were 
eommanded  by  Sir  George  Prevost  in  person,  a  well 
directed  fire,  which  was  opened  upon  them,  compelled 
them  to  pause ;  several  officers  and  men  were  seen  to  fall. 
Encouraged  by  this,  they  were  en;;aged  in  loading  a  se- 
cond time,  the  artillery  would  then  open ;  'when  sud* 
denly  some  unaccountable  panick  seized  the  militia,  a 
panick,  to  which  corps  composed  of  the  bravest  men  in- 
dividually, are  liable  on  being  engaged  for  the  first  time ; 
they  fled  in  confusion,  and  their  officers  in  vain  attempt- 
ed to  rally  them ;  their  brave  commander,  colonel  Mills, 
in  attempting  to  effect  it,  was  shot  from  his  horse.     The 
enemy  now  landed  with  little  opposition,    and  having 
formed,  advanced  to  the  barracks  ;    but  were  for  a  mo- 
ment checked  by  a  vigorous  attack  from  a  party  of  infan- 
try under  major  Aspiu wall,  and  the  dismounted  dragoons 
under  major  Lavalle.    These  were  compelled,  by  num- 
bers, to  retreat.    A  sharp  conflict  now  commenced,  with 
the  regulars  and  artillery  under  colonel  Buckus    which 
retired  gradually,  taking  possession  of  the  houses  and 
barracks,  whence  they  continued  to  annoy  the  enemy. 
The  colonel,   about  this  time,  fell  severely  wounded. 
Shortly  after  the  flight  of  the  militia^  general  Brown  sue?* 


142 


HISTORY  OF  THE  WAR. 


eeeded  in  rallying  the  company  of  captain  M*Nitt,  abouj 
ninety  in  number ;  with  this  ne  assailed  the  rear  of  the 
British,  and  in  his  own  words,  ^'  did  some  executioii," 
Finding  that  there  was  now  little  hope  of  repelling  the 
enemy,  so  superiour  in  force,  and  every  moment  gaining 
ground,  he  resorted  to  a  ruse  de  guerre.  A  considerable 
part  of  the  militia,  now  ashamed  of  their  panick,  had 
collected  near  the  scene  of  action  ;  the  general  instantly 
formed  them,  and  marched  them  silently  through  the 
woods,  so  as  to  be  discovered  by  the  enemy.  Sir  George 
Prevost,  believing  that  his  rear  was  about  to  be  cut  off, 
ordered  a  retreat,  which  became  a  precipitate  flight  to 
the  boats^  leaving  all  his  wounded  and  a  number  of  pri- 
soners. 

The  resistance  at  the  barracks  had  been  exceedingly 
obstinate ;  a  destructive  fire  was  poured  from  the  build- 
ings, while  lieutenant  Fanning,  though  severely  wound- 
ed, still  directed  one  nut  less  so  from  his  piece  of  artil- 
lery. Captain  Gray,  a  valuable  British  officer  and  an 
accomplished  gentlemai',,  was  shot  by  a  small  boy,  a 
drummer,  who  snatched  up  a  musket  and  fired  at  him,  as 
he  was  advancing  at  the  head  of  a  column,  to  storm  one  of 
the  barracks.  This  boy,  who  was  an  American,  had 
served  him  in  his  kitclien,  and  on  the  war  breaking  out, 
had  returned  home ;  he  now  approached  his  former  mas- 
ter while  in  his  last  agonies,  and  owned  that  he  had  shot 
him.  Captain  Gray  generously  forgave  him,  and  with  a 
nobleness  of  soul,  of  which  we  have  had  but  too  few  ex- 
amples on  the  part  of  Britain  during  the  war,  took  out 
his  watch  and  presented  it  to  him,  with  tliese  words,  "  my 
brave  little  fellow,  you  have  done  well."  It  is  delightful 
to  read  such  traits  even  in  an  enemy  ;  whether  the  boy 
deserved  his  encomium  or  his  curse,  is  a  matter  to  be 
settled  by  casuists. 

During  the  battle,  a  false  alarm  having  been  communi- 
cated to  lieutenant  Chauncey,  that  our  troops  had  been 
defeated,  he  immediately,  according  to  orders  previously 
received,  set  fire  to  the  publick  store  houses  ;  and  the 
fire  was  not  extinguished  until  considerable  damage  had 
been  dune.  The  loss  of  the  Americans  in  this  aftair  was 


HISTORY  OF  THE  WAH. 


143 


one  colonel  of  volunteers,  twenty  regulars  and  one  volun- 
teer killed;  one  lieutenant  colonel,  three  lieutenants  and 
one  ensign  of  the  re^^ulars,  and  scventj-nine  men,  com- 
missioned officers  and  regulars,  wounded ;  and  twenty -six 
missing;  the  loss  of  the  enemy  amounted  to  three  field 
officers,  two  captains,  and  twenty  rank  and  file  found 
dead  upon  the  ground ;  two  captains  and  twenty  rank 
and  tile  wounded,  besides  those  killed  and  wounded  in 
the  boats,  and  carried  away  previous  to  the  retreat.  On 
the  same  evening  lieutenant  colonel  Little  arrived,  after 
a  forced  march  of  forty  miles,  with  about  six  hundred 
men,  and  re-inforcemeats  were  rapidly  arriving  from  eve- 
ry quarter. 

Notwithstanding  this,  a  modest  request  of  a  surren- 
der was  made  by  Sir  George  Prevost,  which  he  soon  after 
as  modestly  changed  into  a  request  for  permission  to  hur- 
ry the  dead,  and  that  tli«  wounded  in  our  hands  should 
be  attended  to  ;  of  tliis  he  received  satisfactory  assuran- 
ces. On  his  return  to  Kingston,  he  issued  a  vaunting 
proclamation,  in  which  he  announced  a  splendid  victory, 
which  no  one  believed.  The  injury  inflicted  on  us  was 
certainly  considerable,  but  fell  tar  short  of  the  object  of 
tills  expedition ;  and  that  he  was  compeiled  precipitately 
to  retreat,  he  could  not  pretend  to  deny.  General  Brown 
received  and  deserved  applause  for  his  conduct  on  thie 
occasion,  which  laid  the  ground  work  of  his  military 
celebrity. 

Shortly  after  this  affair,  commodore  Chauncey  return* 
ed  with  his  squadron  ;  general  Levis  took  command  of 
the  place,  and  set  about  repairing  the  buildings  and  pub- 
lick  store  houses.  General  Dearborne,  whose  increas- 
ing indisposition  disqualified  him  for  an  active  command, 
retired  from  service^  leaving  colonel  Boyd  in  command  of 
Fort  (jeorge. 

On  the  L6th  of  June,  lieutenant  Chauncey  having  been 
ordered  to  cruise  oft'  Presque  Isle  with  the  Lady  of  the 
Lake,  captured  the  Lady  Murray,  with  some  officers  and 
privates,  besides  a  quantity  of  military  stores.  About 
the  same  time,  a  devastating  and  j)lundering  party  of  the 
British  made  an  attack  on  the  village  of  Sodus,  where 


141 


MISTOUY  OF  THE  WAR. 


some  publick  stores  were  deposited.  Op  their  approacli, 
these  were  concealed  in  the  woods,  while  the  militia 
could  be  assembled  to  defend  them.  The  British,  exas- 
perated at  their  disappointment,  set  fire  to  all  the  valug. 
ble  buildings  ir  the  town,  destroj^ed  tbe  private  property 
of  individuals,  and  were  only  induced  to  desist  from 
the  entire  destruction  of  th  j  place,  on  the  stipulation  of 
tiK;  inhabitants  to  deliver  the  publick  stores  at  the  wharf. 
The  militia  soon  after  appearing,  the  British  were  com- 
pelled to  decamp  with  the  booty  they  had  already  collect- 
ed. They  made  a  second  attempt  a  few  days  afterwards, 
but  were  prevented  from  landing  by  the  appearance  of 
the  militia.  This  marauding  expedition  had  no  pretext 
of  retaliaticn  to  cover  it. 

About  this  time  an  affair  of  considerable  moment  took 
place  near  Fort  George,  in  which  our  arms  again  expe* 
riencef!  a  severe  reverse.  A  detachment  had  been  ordered 
out  for  the  purpose  of  dislodging  a  party  of  the  enemy 
at  La  Coose's  house,  about  seventeen  miles  from  Fort 
George,  where  they  had  been  stationed  for  some  time,  in 
the  neighbourhood  of  two  others  still  more  formidable,  but 
which  were  boih  aearer  to  Fort  George.  Lieutenant  colo- 
nel BcBrstlu  •,  wjiS  selected  to  command  it.  Theyexpedition 
had  no  rational  obj'j;t,  was  dangerous  and  ill-judged. 
The  detachment  had  not  proceeded  more  than  half  way, 
■when  Indians  were  seen  skulking  across  the  wood  in  their 
rear.  A  camp  of  several  hundred  of  these,  lay  between 
them  and  the  point  to  which  they  were  going.  The  In- 
dians now  attacked  them  from  the  adjoining  woods  ;  at 
last  they  were  compelled  to  fly ;  but  they  Kept  up  the 
fight  long  enough  for  the  British  parties  to  come  up  and 
attack  them  on  all  sides.  Colonel  Bcerstler  continued  to 
make  a  brave  resistance,  until  his  ammunition  was  nearly 
expended,  and  a  third  of  his  detachment  placed  Aorsae 
combat.  His  rear  was  assailed  by  a  large  body  of  British 
and  Indians,  and  no  way  of  retreating  remained  but 
by  cutting  his  way  through  them.  He  proposed  a  charge 
upon  the  enemy  :  he  had  been  twice  summoned  to  sur- 
render ;  on  consultation  with  his  officers,  it  was  agreed 
.to  capitulate  under  the  same  stipulations  as  those  of 


History  of  twe  WAlt. 


14i 


(tcne.dl  Winchester,  and  which  were  but  little  better  re- 
spected. 


moment  took 


A  few  days  after  this,  the  British  having  been  greatly 
reinforced  by  general  De  Rottenburgh,  invested  the 
American  camp.  General  Vincent  was  stationed  at  Bur^ 
lini'ton  heights,  and  De  Rottenburgh  at  ten  mile  Creek. 
The  New- 1  ork  volunteers  were  detained  at  the  head  of 
the  Lake,  contrary  to  their  parole,  and  on  the  12th  were 
ordered  to  Kingston  ;  but  on  the  way  a  number  effected 
their  escape. 

During  the  remainder    of    this  and  the  succeeding 
months,  a  war  of  post  was  kept  up  between  the  two  ar- 
mies.   On  the  8th  of  July,  a  severe  skit'mish  was  brought 
on,  in  which  nearly  the  whole   force  on  either  side  was 
engaged,  without  any  thing  of  moment  resulting  from  it. 
An  incident*  however,  occurred,  which  served  to  exas- 
perate the  Americans  to  a  higher  degree  than  any  thing 
during  the  war  in  this  quarter.    Lieutenant  Eldridge,  a 
gallant  and  accomplished  youth,  was  drawn  by  his  im- 
petuosity too  far,  with  about  thirty  men,  and  was  sur- 
rounded by  British  and  Indians.    The  greater  part  re- 
sisted until  they  were  killed; but  lieutenant  Eldridge 
and  ten  others,  were  taken  prisoners,  and  never  after- 
wards heard  of.    The  bodies  of  the  slain  were  ti^ated  in 
the  most  shocking  manner  by  the  Indians  ;  their  hearts 
were  torn  out  and  actually  eaten  by  those  monsters,  the 
allies  of  a  Christian  King!    General  Boyd,  considering 
the  forbearance  hitherto  practised  iu  declining  the  aid  of 
Indian  allies,  as  no  longer  justifiable,  accepted  the  servi- 
ces of  the  Seneca  nation,  having  about  four  hundred 
warriours,  under  Young  Cornplanter,  or  Henry  0.  Beal, 
an  Indian,  educated  at  one  of  our  colleges,  but  who  on 
his  return  had  resumed  the  blanket,     ft  was,  however, 
positively  stipulated,  that  the  unresisting  and  defenceless 
should  not  be  hurt,  and  that  no  scalps  should  be  taken  ; 
from  this  they  never  deviated  during  the  war  j  but  the 
circumstance  of  having    Indians  on  our  side,  it  was 
thought,  might  operate  on  the  minds  of  the  British. 

On  the  1 1th  of  July,  a  force  of  two  hundred  of  the  ene- 
my crossed  the  Niagara}  and  attacked  Black  Rock  $  the 

J3 


1.4a 


msrORY  OF  THE  WAR. 


militia  stationed  there,  at  first  fled,  but  soon  returned 
with  a  force  of  regulars  and  Indians,  and  compelled  them 
to  fly  to  their  boats,  leaving  nine  of  their  men  killed, 
and  their  commander,  colouel  Bishop)  mortally  woundei'. 

On  the  28tb  of  July,  a  second  expedition  was  under* 
taken  against  York.  Three  hundred  men,  under  colonel 
3cott,  embarked  in  commodore  Chauncey's  fleet,  and 
suddenly  landing  at  that  place,  drove  the  enemy,  des- 
troyed tne  publick  stores  and  property,  released  a  num. 
ber  of  colonel  Bcerstler's  men,  and  returned  to  Sackett's 
Harbour,  with  a  trifling  loss. 

The  British,  who  were  at  this  time  pursuing  the  sys- 
tem of  devastation  along  our  sea-board,  which  will  be 
recounted  in  the  next  oiapter,  were  at  the  same  time 
enaaged  in  la;^ing  waste  the  country  on  the  borders  of 
Lake  Champlain.  A  little  navy  was  also  set  on  foot  by 
both  sides,  on  this  Lake,  in  the  beginning  of  the  year ; 
but  that  of  the  United  States  was  thus  far  less  prosper- 
ous than  that  of  the  enemy.  The  whole  American  force, 
on  this  lake,  consisted  of  a  few  armed  barges,  some  gun 
boats,  and  two  schooners,  the  Growler  anfTEagle,  under 
lieutenant  Sidney  Smith.  In  the  beginning  ofJul^,  the 
schooner  were  attacked  near  the  entrance  of  this  lake 
into  the  St.  Lawrencfe,  and  after  a  severe  resistance  of 
three  hours,  against  a  very  superiour  force,  were  compell- 
ed to  surrender.  The  Britisn  bein^  now  masters  of  the 
lake,  cruised  along  its  borders,  landing  in  various  places, 
and  committing  many  depredations  on  the  property  of 
the  inhabitants.  On  the  thirty -first  of  July,  twelve  nun- 
di'ed  men  landed  at  Plattsbur^h,  where  no  resistance  was 
made,  a  sufficient  body  of  militia  not  being  collected  ia 
time ;  \hey  first  destroyed  all  the  publick  buildings,  and 
then  waptonly  burnt  the  storehouses  of  several  of  the 
inhabitants,  and  carried  ofl'  great  quantities  of  private 
property.  The  same  outrages  were  committed  after- 
wards at  Swanton,  in  the  state  of  Vermont.  Such 
Acts  served  onl^  to  provoke  the  inhabitants,  and  render 
them  bc^tter  disposed  to  give  the  enemy  a  warm  recep- 
tion at  some  other  period. 


HISTORY  OF  THE  WAR. 


i4r 


On  Lake  Ontario,  a  fof midable  naval  armament,  con- 
sidering the  size  of  this  inland  sea,  was  arrayed  on  either 
side,  and  an  interesting  contest  ensued,  Between  two 
^icilfiil  officers,  for  the  superiority.    Tiie  General  Pike,  of 
tvtrenty-two  guns,  had  been  launched,  and  proved  to  be  an 
excellent  sailor,  and  commodore  Chauncey  was  now  fully 
equal,  in  point  of  dtreng^th,  to  his  anta»-onibt.    SirJames^ 
though  somewhat  itfferiour  in  force,  had  the  advantage  iii 
an  important  particular,  his  ships  sailed  better  in  squad- 
ron, and  he  could  therefore  avoid  or  come  to  an  engage- 
ment when  hie  should  think  proper.     But  it  being  a  mat- 
ter all  important  for  the  British,  to  prevent  the  Ameri- 
cans from  becoming  masters  of  the  ^ake,  Sir  James  pru- 
dently avoided  a  general  action,  and  on  all  occasions  ex- 
erted his  utmost  skill,  with  this  intention.    On  the  con- 
trary, to  bring  him  to  action,  was  the  utmost  wish  of 
commodore  Cnaunc^y ;  and  the  manoeuvres  on  either 
side,  are  said  to  be  amongst  the  most  skilful  known  in  the 
history  of  naval  tacticks.    On  the  7th  of  August,  they 
came  in  sight  of  each  other,  the  fleets  about  equal  force, 
t^ommodore  Cliauncey  manoeuvred  to   gain  the  wind. 
Having  passed  the  leward  of  the  enemy's  Mne,  and  being 
abreast  of  his  van  ship,  the  Wolf,  he  fired  a  few  guns  to 
ascertain  whether  he  could  reach  the  hostile  fleet.    The- 
shot  falling  short,  he  wore,  and  hauled  upon  a  wind  to  the 
starboard  tack ;  the  rear  of  the  commodore's  schooners^ 
teing  six  miles  astern.    Sir  James  wore  a^so,  and  hauled 
upon  a  wind  on  the  saiae  tack,  but  observing  that  the 
American  fleet  would  be  able  to  weather  him  in  the  next 
tack,  he  tacked  again  and  made  all  sail  to  the  northward. 
Commodore  Chauncey  pursued  him.     The  chase  waft 
continued  until  night,  but  the  schooners  not  being  able  to^ 
keep  up,  a  signal  was  made  to  give  up  the  pursuit,  our 
force  in  close  order.     Tlie  wind  now  blew  heavy,  and  at 
midnight,  two  of  the  schooners,  the  Scourge  and  the 
Hamilton,  were  found    to  have  overset  in  the  squall. 
Lieutenants  Winter  and  Osgood,  two  valuable  ofllcers*.- 
were  lost,  and  only  sixteen  men  of  tlic  crew  saved.   The* 
next  morning  the  enemy,  discovering  this  loss,  appeared- 
to  be  disposed  to  engage,  and  seemed  to  bear  oft' for  tliat 


'^ismmikmu^ 


148 


HISTORY  OF  TIIE  WAR. 


purpose,  having  now  the  superiority.  Two  schoonert 
were  ordered  to  move  up  and  en^e  him,  but  when  with. 
in  a  mile  and  a  half,  he  attempted  to  cut  them  oft*,  in  whicli 
he  failed ;  he  then  •  hauled  his  wind  and  hove  to.  \ 
squall  coming  on,  and  commodore  Chauncey  being  ap. 
prehensive  of  separating  from  his  dull  sailing  schooner^, 
ran  in  towards  Niagara  and  anchored.  Here  he  receiv. 
ed  on  board^  from  Fort  George,  one  hundred  and  fifty 
men  to  act  as  marines,  and  distributed  them  "*..  .'ough  his 
fleet;  he  again  sailed  and  contihued  until  11  o'clock,  at 
times  pursuing  and  being  pursued,  when  the  rear  of  the 
line  opened  its  fire,  and  m  fifteen  minutes  (he  fire  be- 
came general  on  both  sides.  At  half  past  eleven,  the 
weather  line  bore  off,  and  passed  to  the  leward,  except 
the  Growler  and  Julia,  which  soon  after  tacked  to  the 
southward,  and  brought  the  British  between  them  and 
the  remainder  of  the  American  fleet,  which  then  edged 
away  to  engage  the  enemy  to  more  advantage,  and  to 
lead  him  from  the  two  schooners*  Sir  James  exchanged 
a  few  shot  with  the  American  commodore's  ship,  and  pur* 
SLued  the  Growler  and  Julia.  A  firing  commenced  be* 
tween  them,  which  continued  until  one  o'clock  in  the 
morning  of  the  tenth.  A  desperate  resistance  was  made 
against  this  superiour  force,  to  which  the  two  vessels 
were  compelled  to  yield  ;  Sir  James'  ship  is  said  to 
have  b>>en  considerably  injured.  The  next  day  he  was 
visible,  but  shewed  no  disposition  to  come  to  action. 
Commodore  Chauncey  soon  after  returned  to  Sackett's 
Harbour.  A  victory  for  this  affair  was  claimed  by  Sir 
Jatnes  Yeo ;  his  situation  would  not  allow  him  to  be  can- 
did, (or  he  was  compelled  to  keep  up  an  appearance  of 
being  willing  io  engage  the  American  squadron,  although 
he  had  no  such  intention  ;  he  expecteci,  however,  to  Be 
able  to  cut  ofl*  our  dull  sailing  schuonera  in  detail* 


HISTORY  OF  THE  WAR; 


149 


CHAPTER  VIII. 

]far  on  the  coast — Exploits  of  Cockbum — Plundering 
and  burning  of  Havre  de  Grace — Burning  of  Oeorge- 
town  and  Freaericktown — ^Arrival  ^f  admiral  Warten 
ami  Sir  Sidney  Beckwith — Southern  cities  threatened 
--Attack  OH  Craney  Island — Enormities  at  Hamf*''n>^* 
Cockbum  plunders  the  Coast  of  J\*orth  Corolind^-Block- 
ade  of  the  American  squadron  at  J\ew  London,  by  com- 
modore Hardy — The  Torpedo  System, 

During  the  first  year  of  the  war,  Great  Britain  beings 
deeply  engaged  in  the  important  transactions  then  go- 
ing on  :n  Europe,  had  little  time  to  attend  to  the  war 
with  this  country ;  not  one  of  our  ports  couM  be -said  tor' 
have  been  in  a  state  of  actual'blookade. 

The  forces  which  she  could  spare,  were  sent  to  Canada. 
The  change  in  the  face  of  things  in  Europe,  gave  her  a> 
greater  disposable  force,  and  more  leisure,  while  our 
unparalleled'  victories  on  the  ocean,  awakened  her  at- 
tention, and  kindled  a  desire  for  revenge.  Lons  before 
spring,  it  was  known  that  a  British  squadron  had  arrived 
at  Bermuda,  with  a  body  of  troops  on  boards  and  well 
supplied  with  bombs  and  rockets,  for  the  purpose  of  at- 
tacking some  of  our  most  exposed  southern  cities.  For 
the  inYidious  distinction  was  made  between  the  north 
and  south,  from  a  belief,  that  the  northern  states  were 
not  merely  unfriendly  to  the  war,  but  were  strongly  in- 
clined to  secede  from  the  Union,  and  return  to  their  for- 
mer allegiance  to  the  king  of  England. 

We  are  now  about  to  enter  upon  a  species  of  hostili- 
ties, entirely  new  among  civilized  people.  The  scenes 
which  we  must  pass  in  review,  can  scarcely  be  spoken  of 
with  moderation.  They  are  compounded  of  the  avarir 
cious  and  plundering  barbarity,  which  characterizes  the 
pirates  of  the  Mediterranean,  and  of  ^he  savage  ferocity 
•f  the  scenes  which  disgraced  the  River  Raisin.    Whiu-- 

13» 


i«^-*V"a 


150 


HISTORY  OF  THE  WAR. 


ever  may  be  the  reputations  of  the  chief  actors  in  En- 
land,  they  can  never  be  otherwise  regarded  in  this  coun. 
tnr,  than  as  the  infamous  instruments  in  the  perpetration 
ofenormities,  from  which  the  honorable  man  would  shrink 
with  instinctive  honour.  The  recollection  of  the  prison- 
ships  and  other  enormities  during  the  revolutionary  war, 
when  England  chose  to  regard  us  as  traitors,  and  which 
the  generosity  and  wisdom  of  England  oight  to  have  kept 
from  our  minds,  was  renewed  with  all  possible  aggrava* 
tion,  now  that  she  chose  to  regard  us^4i»~double  traitors. 
If  it  ha^'  been  her  intention  to  plant  an  eternal  hatred  in 
the  hearts  of  a  people,  destined  at  some  future  day  to  be> 
come  numerous  and  powerful,  she  has  certainly  fallen  up. 
on  the  proper  means.  To  say  that  these  things  should  be 
passed  over  lightly,  because  we  are  now  at  peace  with  her^ 
would  be  a  scandal  to  every  American ;  it  would  be  a  de< 
sertion  of  truth,  justice,  religion,  humanity }  it  would  be 
passing  over  lightly  and  indulgentl^r,  the  most  eompjica* 
ted  crimes,  and  sinking  at  once  every  distinction-betweeu 
infamy  and  virtue. 

It  was  soon  understood  that  the  war  to  be  carried  on 
against  the  Atlantic  coast  in  the  spring,  was  to  be  a  war 
of  havock  and  destruction ;  but  to  what  extent  was  lot 
exactly  known.  The  enemy,  however,  "  talked  of  chaf  tis« 
iig  us  into  submission^',  aixl  it  was  expected  that  our 
large  commercial  towns,  now  somewhat  fortified  against 
the  approach  of  their  shippin^r^  would  be  vigorously  attack* 
ed ;  and,  froip  the  example  we  had  seen  at  Copenhagen,  it 
was  not  impossible  that  they  would  be  much  injured,  and 
perhaps  reduced  to  ashes.  Small  bodies  of  regular 
troops  were  stationed  at  dilferent  points-  along  tbe  sea- 
board, to  form  the  rallying  points  of  the  militia,  which 
might  be  called  out  as  occasion  should  require :  a  number 
of  marines  and  seamen,  belonging  to  publick  vessels 
which  did  not  put  to  sea,  were  also  to  co-operate  in  tliis 
service. 

On  the  fourth  of  February,  a  squadron  consisting  o£ 
two  ships  of  the  line,  three  frigates  and  other  vessels, 
made  its  appearauce  in  the  Chesapeake,  apparently 
standing  for  Hamptou  Roads.    The  alarm  was  imme- 


HISTORY  OF  THE  WAR. 


I5t 


(liately  caught  at  Norfolk,  and  the  militia  called  in  from 
the  upper  part  of  the  state.    No  attempt,  however,  was 
made  upon  the  town,  the  enemy  contenting  himself  with 
destroying  the  smaller  vessels  employed  in  the  naviga- 
tioa  of  the  Bay,  and  effectively  blockading  its  waters. 
About  the  same  time,  another  squadron  under  the  com- 
mand of  commodore  Beresford,  appeared  in  the  Dela- 
ware, consisting  of  the  Poictiers,  the  Belvidera,  and  some 
other  vessels,  which  in  the  same  manner  destroyed  a 
DUiriber  of  small  trading  vessels,  and  attempted  several ' 
times  to  land  some  of  their  men,  who  were  as  often  re- 
pulsed by  the  militia,  hastily  collected.    On  the  tenth  of 
April,  Sir  John  Beresford  made  a  demand  on  the  peo- 
ple of  the  village  of  Lewistown,  for  a  supply  of  provi-- 
sioDS,  which  was  spiritedly  refused  by  colonel  Uavis, 
eommanding  at  that  place.    Captain  Byron,  of  the  Bel- 
videra, was  ordered  to  move  near  the  village  and  bom^ 
bard  it,    until  the  demand  should  be  complied  with. 
This  was  obeyed,  but  without  effect ;  after  a  cannonade 
of  twenty  hours,  tfiey  were  enable  to  make  any  impres- 
sion on  the  place.    Their  fire  had  been  returned  from 
some  batteries,  hastily  thrown  up  on  the  bank,  with  con*^ 
aiderable  effect.    On  the  tenth  of  May,  the  same  squad- 
ron sent'out  their  barges  in  the  neigbourhuod  of  Lew*^ 
istowD,  to  procure  water.    Major  George  Hunter  was-' 
detached  by  colonel  Davis,  with  one  hundred  and  fifty 
men,  to  oppose  their  landing,  which  the  major  liid  with 
so  much  gallantry,  that  he  compelled  them  to  ii&sten  t» 
their  shipping.  The  squadron  soon  after  returned  to  Ber-~ 
muda,  wher'j  Sir  J.  Borlace  Warren,  who  commanded  onr 
this  station,  wa»  engaged  in  fitting  out  a  more  considera- 
ble armament,  foF  the  attack  of  our  seaccast  during  the 
summer. 

Sooji  after  the  departure  of  the  squadron,  the  Spartan^ 
and  some  other  frigates,  entered  the  Delaware,  One  of 
their  vessels,  the  Martin,  was  discovered  on  the  29th  of 
July,  slightly  grounded  on  the  outer  edge  olt  Crow's  shoals«- 
A  detachment  of  the  gun  boat  flotilla  immediately  movedi^ 
9Ad  anchoring  in  line  about  three  quarters  of  a  mile  fVom 
the  sloop,  opened  a  destructive  fire  upon  her^    The  J»- 


^Ki 


15S 


HISTORY  OF  TirE  WAR. 


non  friirate  soon  after  came  off  to  her  relief;  a  cannonade 
was  kept  up  during  an  hou;-  between  the  gunboats  and 
these  two  vessels,  in  which  the  latter  suffered  great  injury. 
Finding  it  impossible  to  drive  off  this  mosqueto  fleet,  they 
manned  their  launches,  tenders  and  cutters,  to  cut  ofTthe 
gunboats,  at  the  extremity  of  the  line.  No.  121,  command, 
ed  by  sailing  master  Head,  was  unfortunately  taken,  after 
a  desperate  resistance  against  eight  times  her  number. 
The  British  soon  after  made  sail,  tne  Martin  having  been 
extricated  from  her  situation. 

Scenes  of  a  different  kind  were,  in  the  meanwhile,  act- 
ing in  the  Chesapeake.     The  squadron,  which  returned  in 
February,,  still  continued  to  carry   on  a  predatory,  war 
along  the  shores  and  inlets.  *  It  was  here  that  one  Cock^ 
biirn^  by  some  means  an  admiral  in  the  service  of  the 
King  of  England,  exhibited  the  first  of  those  exploits,  for 
which  he  afterwards  become  so  highly  celebrated  ;  and  of 
which  he  may  justly  claim  to  be  the  originator.    At  first 
they  were  directed  against  the  detached- farm-houses  and 
seats  of  private  gentlemen,  unprepared  for,  atdincapa* 
ble  of  defence  ;  these  were  robbed,  and  the  owners  treat* 
ed  in  the  rudest  manner.    The  cattle  which  could  not  be 
cariied  away,  were  doomed  to  wanton  destruction  ;  the 
slaves  were  armed  against  their  owners,  and  persuaded 
to  follow  the  example  of  their  new  friends,  to  attack 
their  master's  defenceless  families,  and  to.  engage  in  pil- 
laging them.    It  was  impossible  to  station  a  force  at  each 
farmhouse,  to  repel  these  miserable  and  disgraceful  in- 
cursions ;  yet,  in  several  instances,  Cockburn  and  his 
ruffians  were  bravely  repelled,  by  a  collection  of  the 
neighbours  without  authority,  and  under  no  leader.    The 
spirited  citizens  of  Maryland  formed  bodies  of  cavalry, 
which  were  slationed  at  intervals  along  the  shore,  to  be 
drawn  out  at  a  moment's  warning,  for  the  purpose  of  re- 
pelling the  sudden  inroads  of  the  enemy.     Cockburn 
took  possession  of  several  islands  in^the  Bay,  particular- 
ly Sharp's,    Tilghman's,   and  Poplar  Islands,  whence 
he  could  seize  the  opportunity  of  making  a  descent  upon 
the  neighbouring  shores,  when  the  inhabitants  happened 
to  be  on' th^ir  guard. 


HISTORY  OF  THE  WAR. 


153 


Encouraged  b^r  his  success  against  the  farmers,  and  hiA 
rapacity  increasing  by  the  booty  which  he  had  already 
obtained)  Cockburn  now  resolved  to  undertiike  some* 
thine  of  a  more  bold  and  adventurous  character,  in  which 
his  thirst  for  plunder,  and  his  love  of  mischief,  might  be 
gratified  in  a  higher  degree.  He  therefore  directed  his 
attention  to  the  unprotected  villages  and  hamlets  aloi^ 
the  bay;  carefully  avoiding  the  larger  towns,  the  plun- 
dering of  which  might  he  attended  with  some  danger. 
The  first  of  these  exploits  was  against  the  village  of 
Frenchtown,  containing  six  dwelling  houses,  two  large 
store  houses,  and  several  stables.  It  is  important,  howe^ 
ver,  as  a  place  of  deposite  on  the  line  of  packets  and  sta- 
ges from  Philadelphia  to  the  city  of  Baltimore,  and  Cock- 
Durn  rightly  conjectured  that  here  there  might  be  private 
property  to  a  considerable  amount.  He  accordingly  sat 
out  on  this  expedition,  from  his  ship  the  Marlborough,  in 
barges,  with  nve  hundred  marines ;  a  sufficient  nunmer  tq 
have  carried  the  town  on  their  backs.  Some  shew  of 
resistance  was  made  by  a  small  party  of  militia  collected 
from  Elktori,  but  which  moved  ofl  as  the  admiral  ap- 
proached. The  storehouses  were  destroyed,  togetber 
with  the  goods  they  were  unable  to  parry  'o&\  to  an  inv* 
inense  amount.  Amongst  other  objects  of  wanton  de- 
struction, was  an  elegant  drop-curtain,  intended  for  the 
theatres  of  the  cities  before  mentioned.  The  brand  wasap-* 
plied  to  some  of  the  private  dwelling  houses,  and  to  seve- 
ral vessels  lying  at  the  wharf ;  after  achieving  this  glorious 
victory,  the  admiral,  fearing  the  approach  of  the  militia^ 
hastily  retired  to  his  ship. 

The  next  exploit  of  the  admiral,  was  of  still  greater 
importance.  The  town  of  Havre-de-Grace  is  situated 
on  the  Susquehannaf  .tbcut  two  miles  fom  the  head  of 
the  Bay,  and  is  a  neat  village,  containing  twenty  or  thir- 
ty bouses;  An  attack  on  this  place  was  the  next  object 
which  entered  into  the  plan  of  the  admiral's  operations. 
Accordinlgy,  on  the  third  of  May,  before  day-light,  liis 
approach  was  announced  by  a  few  cannoii  shot,  and  thf) 
linng  of  rockets.      TIic  mhubitamtsj  roused  from  their 


\| 


-tmi 


154 


HISTORY  OF  THE  WAR. 


sleep,  leaped  up  in  the  greatest  consternation,  and  t!i« 
more  courageous  repaired  to  tlie  beach,  where  a  few 
small  pieces  of  artillery  had  been  plantofi  r,na  kind  of 
battery,  for  the  purpose  of  defence  against  the  smaller 
ivatering  or  plunclerin^  parties  of  the  enemy.  After  fir. 
ing  a  few  shots,  with  tne  exception  of  aii  old  citizen  of 
the  place>  of  the  name  of  0*Neill,  they  all  fled  on  theap. 
proach  of  tlie  barges,  abandoning  the  village  to  the  mercy 
©f  Cockburn.  O'Neill  alone  continoed  the  fij»ht,  loading 
apiece  of  artillery,  and  tiring  it  himself,  until  bv  recoil. 
ing,  it  ran  over  his  thigh  and  wounded  him  severely.  H« 
then  armed  himself  with  a  musket,  and  limping  away, 
still  kept  up  a  retreating  fight  with  the  advancing  column 
of  the  Britishywho  had  by  this  time  landed  and  formed  j 
after  which  he  moved  off  to  join  his  five  or  six  com- 
rades, whom  he  attempted  in  vain  to  rally. 

The  enemy  had  no  sooner  taken  possession  of  the  viU 
hge  by  this  sudden  and  bold  assault,   than  they  set 
themselves  about  destroying  the  private  dwellings,  and 
plundering  their  contents.     Having  glutted  their  avarice, 
they  then  amused  themselves  with  every  species  of  barba- 
rous and  wanton  mischief.    The  houses  being  now  on 
fire,  they  cut  open  iLe  beds  of  the  inhabitants,  ami  thretv 
in  the  feathers  to  increase  the  flame.    Women  and  chil- 
dren fled  shrieking  in  every  direction,  to  avoid  the  brutal 
insolence  of  the  British  seamen  and  mariues,  and  no. 
where  did  they .  find  a  protector  amongst  these  savages. 
Their  clothes  were  torn  from  their  backs,  and  they  felt 
themselves  at  every  moment  in  danger  of  being  massacred. 
Not  on  women  and  children  alone  were  these  outrages 
committed  ;  the  sttige  horses  kept  at  this  place  were 
cruelly  maimed,  and  the  stages  broKen  to  pieces.     Deter- 
mined that  their  character  should  not  be  equivocal,  these 
worse  than  Vandals,   selected  as  the  next  object  of  their 
barbarous    vengean' e,  a  neat    and  beautiful    building, 
dedicated  to  the  worship  of  the  Almighty,  and  with  un- 
usual pains  defaced  its  doors  and  windows.     One  build- 
ing   yet   remained  undemolished,  an  elegant  dwelling 
belonging  to  commodore  Rodgers,  where  the  mo'st  res- 
pectable females  of  tlie  iowa  had  taken  refuge  vvitU.  their 


HISTORY  OF  THE  WAR. 


155 


chihii'en,  believing  that  a  naval  officer  would  not  wanton- 
ly insult  the  unprotected  wife  of  a  brave  and  gallant  sea- 
man, who  was  then  absent  in  the  service  of  nis  country. 
The  officer  to  whom   the  task  of  conflagration  had  been 
assigned,  already  held  the  torch,  when  with  much  solici' 
tationhe  consented  to  wait  a  few  moments,  until  an  ap- 
peal to  the  admiral  could  he  made.     It  proved  successful, 
and  it  is  mentioned  to  his  praise,  that  he  only  refrained 
{on  one  occasion  from  doing  that  which  would  have  been 
the  ciijiiax  of  brutality'.    There  being  no  further  mischief 
for  theni  to  perpetrate  in  the  village,  they  divided  their 
force  into  three  parts,  and  while  one  remained  to  keep 
Iwatch,  the  others  proceeded  to  lay  waste  the  adjacent 
jcountiy.    One  party  followed  the  road  towards  Balti- 
Imorefor  several  miles,  plundering  the  farm-houses,  and 
Irobbing  the  travellers  on  the  road  of  their  clothes  and 
Imoney  ;  the  other  proceeded  up  the  river,  cotrmittingsi- 
linilar  outrages.     It  were  endless  to  enumerate  the  acts 
lof  base  and  wanton  injury,  inflicted  by  this  party,  during 
tiie  short  time  which  they  remained.    On  the  sixth,  to 
lie  great  satisfaction  of  the  inhabitants,  these  savages, 
lian  whom  those  of  the  west  were  not  worse,  returned 
to  their  fleet.    O'Neill,  who  had  been  taken  prisoner,  was 
jcarried  with  them  and  detained  several  days,  at  the  end 
of  which  time  they  thought  proper  to  release  him.    The 
bnhabitants  of  the  village,  many  of  whom  were  almost 
Wned,  threw  themselves  on  the  humanity  of  their  fel- 
pw-citizens  of  Baltimore,  who  generously  contributed 
to  their  relief,  and  they  were  soon  after  enabled  to  cojn- 
nence  the  rebuilding  of  their  houses. 
Elated  with  the  profitable  issue  of  this  descent,  in 
[which  so  rich  a  booty  was  obtained  with  so  little  danger, 
the  enemy  was  eager  for  some  other  enterprise  equally 
knourable  to  the  British  arms.      The  admiral  had  cast 
Ills  eye  upon  two  beautiful  villages,  situated  on  the  ri- 
Iver  Sassafras,  which  empties  itself  into  the  bay ;  George- 
Itown  and  Frederick-town,  situated  opposite  each  other, 
lone  in  Kent,  the  other  in    Cecil    county.      His   hired 
lagents,  for  miscreants  may  be  found  in  every  country 
[for  such  purposes,  had  informed  him y  that  here  he  might 


'^■"■*J!|^« 


156 


HISTORY  OF  THt  WAll. 


glut  his  crew  with  plunder.  On  the  sixth,  placing  him. 
self  at  the  head  of  six  hundred  men,  in  eighteen  barges, 
he  ascended  the  river,  and  proceeded  towards  Frede"! 
ick-town.  Colonel  Veazy  had  collected  here  about  filtv 
militia,  on  the  approach  of  the  barges,  which  immediate. 
jy  commenced  a  heavy  fire  with  langra^e,  shot,  and  mus- 
ketry. The  greater  pait  of  the  Tnilitia  fled,  and  left 
colonel  Veazy  to  oppose  them  as  he  could;  he,  notwith- 
standing,  kept  up  a  steady  fire,  until  they  approached 
so  near  that  he  was  compelled  to  retreat.  The  admiral 
boldly  advanced  to  the  town,  plundered  the  houses,  and 
in  spite  of  the  entreaties  of  the  women  and  children, 
again  acted  the  incendiary,  and  leaving  Frederick-town 
in  flames,  passed  to  the  opposite  side  of  the  river,  where 
after  having  treated  the  village  of  George-town  in  the 
same  manner,  he  returned  glutted  with  spoil  and  satiat- 
ed with  wanton  havock. 

It  was  not  long  after  this,  that  admiral  Warren  enter. 
ed  the  bay  with  a  considerable  reinforcement,  and  a  num- 
ber of  land  troops  and  marines,  under  the  command  of 
Sir  Sidney  Beckwith.  They  had  seized  a  number  of 
the  smaller  vessels  employed  in  the  navigation  of  the 
bay,  for  the  purpose  of  being  used  in  penetrating  the 
various  inlets,  impervious  to  their  larger  tenders.  To 
oppose  to  these  small  parties,  employed  in  frequent  and 
distressing  depredations  on  the  property  of  private  indi- 
viduals,  the  government  hired  a  number  of  barges  and 
light  vessels,  which  by  moving  from  place  to  place  with 
great  rapidity,  would  tend  to  keep  the  enemy  in  check. 
On  the  arrival  of  admiral  Warren,  their  force,  which 
appeared  in  the  Chesapeake,  consisted  of  seven  ships  of 
the  line,  and  twelve  frigates,  with  a  proportionate  num* 
ber  of  smaller  vessels.  The  appearance  of  this  formida* 
ble  force,  created  much  alarm  in  the  more  considerable 
towns  along  the  Chesapeake.  Baltimore,  Annapolis,  and 
Norfolk,  were  threatened.  The  last  of  these  place,  it 
was  evident  was  to  receive  the  first  blow. 

On  the  eighteenth,  commodore  Cassin,  having  receir- 
ed  intelligence  that  a  squadron  of  the  enemy  had  arriv- 
ed in  Hampton  Koads,  now  made  the  necessary  dispo* 


HISTORY  OP  THE  WAR. 


157 


sitions  for  repelling  the  invader.  The  frigate  Constella- 
tion was  anchored  oetween  the  two  forts,  on  each  side 
of  Elizabeth  river,  >vliich  commands  the  approach  to 
Norfolk.  At  this  place  nearly  ten  thousand  of  the  Vir- 
jrinia  militia  had  been  already  collected.  The  gan-boat 
lotilla  was  ordered  in  the  mean  while  to  descend  the 
river,  and  engage  the  foremost  of  the  enemy's  frigates. 
Captain  Tarbell,  by  whom  it  was  commanded,  proceed- 
ed in  two  divisions }  the  first  commanded  by  lieutenant 
Gardner,  and  the  other  by  lieutenant  Henley.  On  th& 
twentieth,  having  brought  his  gun.boats  into  a  favourable 
position,  he  opened  a  rapid  fire  u|)on  the  Junon  frigate, 
at  the  distance  of  half  a  mile.  This  was  returned,  and 
continued  for  half  an  hour,  apparently  to  the  great  in-. 
jury  of  the  frigate*  the  gun-boats  suffering  but  little. 
Another  vessel,  which  proved  to  be  a  razee,  was  seen 
coming  to  her  assistance  ;  the  fire  of  the  Junon  for  a  short 
time  appeared  to  have  been  silenced;  but  on  the  arrival 
of  tier  consort,  and  additional  frigates,  she  again  open- 
ed. Captain  Tarbell  now  thought  proper  to  retire. 
The  Junon  was  mucii  shattered ;  and  her  loss,  consider- 
ing the  great  disparity  of  force,  is  thought  to  have  been 
considerable. 

A  formidable  attack  on  Norfolk  was  resolved  upon  by 
the  British ;  preparatory  to  this,  it  would  be  necessary 
to  subdue  the  forts  by  which  it  was  protected.  Tiie  near- 
est obstruction  to  the  enemy's  advances,  was  Crany 
Island;  and  in  the  course  of  the  day,  they  dropped  to 
the  mouth  of  James'  River.  Captain  Tarbell  gave  orders 
to  lieutenants  Neal,  Shubrick  and  Saunders,  of  the  fri- 
gate Constellation,  to  land  with  a  hundred  seamen  on 
the  islandy  for  the  purpose  of  manning  a  battery  on  the 
N.  W.  side,  while  he  stationed  the  gun«bt»ats  in  such  a 
manner  as  to  enable  him  to  annoy  the  enemy  from  tlie 
opposite  side.  On  the  twenty-second,  at  day  light,  they 
were  discovered  approaching  round  the  point  of  Nansi- 
mond  river,  witli  about  four  thousand  men,  a  great  pro- 
portion of  whom,  it  was  afterwards  ascertained,  were 
wretclied  French  troops,  who  had  been  taken  prisoner^ 
in  Spain,  and  induced  to  enter  into  the  British  service^ 

14 


^ 


■\, ".  J  -. 


^^P*W*'*?(»*>yfc37Sp|i^^_ 


158 


HISTORY  OF  THE  WAR. 


under  promise  of  being  permitted  to  pillage  and  abate 
the  citizens  of  the  Unitea  States.    They  selected  a  place 
of  landing  out  of  the  reach  of  tlie  gun-boats ;   but  unfor. 
tunately  for  them«  not  out  of  the  reach  of  danger.  When 
they  had  approached  within  two  hundred  yards  of  the 
^hore,   lieutenant  Neale,   assisted  by  lieutenants  Shu- 
brick  and  Saunders,  opened  a  galling  fire  upon  them, 
which  compelled  them  to  pause.   I'he  battery  was  mouDt- 
ed  with  an  eighteen-pounder,  and  manned  by  one  hua. 
dered  and  fifty  men,  including  lieutenant  Brecke midge's 
marines.    The  piece  was  directed  with  so  nNich  preci. 
sion,  that  several  of  their  boats  were  cut  in  two,  and 
the  men  with  difficulty  escaped.     The  Centipede,  the  ad*  | 
fniral's  barge,  was  sunk,  and  the  whole  force  was  compell.  i 
«d  to  make  a  precipitate  retreat.    This  was  no  sooner  dis*  I 
covered,  than  lieutenant  Neale  ordered  his  men  to  haul 
up  the  boats,  which  had  been  sunk,  and  to  aiford  the  un«j 
fortunate  suiierers  every  assistance  in  their  power.   A 
Jarge  body  of  the  enemy  who  had  landed  on  the  main 
shore,  were  not  less  warmly  received  by  the  Virginia 
volunteers,   on  their  crossing  the  narrow  inlet  tu  the 
west.     A  short  time  before  the  approach  of  the  barges, 
this  body  of  men,   about  eight  hundred  in  number,  at< 
tempted  to  cross  to  the  island  by  the  inlet  of  which  we 
have  spoken ;  colonel  Beaty  had  been  posted,  with  about 
four  hundred  men,  to  guard  the  pass;   two  twenty-four] 
pounders,  and  two  sixes,  were  planted  to  oppose  the  pa 
fiage,  under  the  -direction  of  major  Faulkner^   and  tite 
guns  commanded  by  captain  Emerson,  and  Ueutenanti 
Bowel  and  Godwin.    The  conflict  here  raged  at  the  same ' 
moment  with  the  aittack  on  the  party  approaching  bj 
water.    The  enemy  was  compelled  to  give  up  the  at* 
tempt  in  this  quarter  also.     His  loss  in  this  signal  re* 
■pulse,  was  upwards  of  two  hundred  in  killed  and  wound-  { 
ed,  besides  a  number  of  deserters,  who  seized  the  op- 
portunit}*^  of  making  their  escape. 

The  safety  of  the  city  of  Norfolk,  and  (rf  the  surround- 
ing towns  of  Gosport,  Portsmouth  anil  others,  is  tobej 
attributed  to  the  resiolute  defence  of  Crany  Island.    The 
condMct  cf  lieutenant  Neale  and  his  brave  cumpaniun% 


HISTORY  OF  THE  WAlL 


159 


Shubn'ck,  Saunders,    and  Breckeoridge,   received  the 

I  grateful  aeknowledgeraent^  of  the  inhabitants.    Colonel 

ifieaty  and  his  officers)  And  two  nun -commissioned  vo- 

I  lunteers,  sergeant  Young  and  corporal  Moffit,  were  no 

less  entitled  to  praise  foe  the  parts  whieh  they  took  in 

this  interesting  affair. 

This  unexpected  repulse  enraged  t^e  enemy  beyond 
measure.    At  the  same  time  that  their  ciesire  of  revenge 
was  excited,  in  consequence  of  their  disappointment  in 
the  sacking  of  Norfolk,  they  were  tauij;ht  greater  pru- 
Idence  in  the  selection  of  the  object  of  attack.    In  a  con- 
sultatioir  between  admiral  Warren,   Sir  Sidney  Beck- 
with,  and  Cockburn,  they  determined  on  attacking  the 
{town  of  Hampton,   about  eighteen  miles  distance  Troni 
Norfolk.    There  was  a  garrison  here,  consisting  of  about 
four  hundred  men,  artillerists  and  infantry.    The  forti- 
fications of  the  place  were  of  very  little  consequence;  in 
fact,  it  was  but  an  open  village,  of  little  more  importance 
than  those  pil lathed  by  Cockburn.     It  was  tJiought,  that 
by  possessing  this   place,   the  communication lietweea 
Isorfolk  and  tlie  upper  county  would  be  entirely  cut  off. 
JOn  the  twenty-fifth,  the  plan  of  attack  having  been  ad- 
Ijusted,  admiral  Cockburn  advanced  towards  the  town, 
[with  a  number  of  barges,  tenders,  and  smaller  vessels* 
throwing  rockets,  and  tiring  towards  the  town,  while  Sir 
Sidney  landed  below,  at  the  head  of  two  thousand  meoi 
intending  to  march  up  and  gain  the  rear  of  the  Ameri- 
cans.    Admiral  Cockburn  was  so  warmly  received  by 
major  Crutchtield,  the  officer  commanding  at  Hampton, 
who  opened  upon  him  a  few  pieces  of  artillery,  that  he 
was  compelled  instantly  to  withdraw,  and  Conceal  him* 
self  behind  a  point.     In  the  meanwhile,  Sir  Sidney  made 
his  appearance,  and  was  severely  handled  by  a  nUe  com- 
|»ny  under  captain  Servant,  which  had  been  posted  in 
a  wood,  near  which  he  had  to  pass.     Major  Crutchtield, 
soon  after  drew  up  his  infantry  in  support  of  the  rifle- 
men; but  finding  himself  unable  to  contend  with  num- 
[bers  so  superiour,  he  made  good  his  retreat,  not,  how- 
ever, without  great  difficulty.     Captain  Pryor,  who  had 
been  left  to  coaimand  the  battery,    which  opposed  th& 


n 


leo 


HISTORY  OF  THE  WAR. 


'#' 


sneinv's  landing)  found  that  the  royal  marines  had  ap- 
proached within  sixty  yards  of  him ;  his  corps  considering 
itself  in  a  situation  hopeless  of  escape,  already  regard* 
ed  themselves  as  prisoners  of  war  ;  when  he  ordered  the 
guns  to  be  spiked,  and  charging  upon  the  enemj,  threw 
them  into  confusion,  and  actually  eflfected  his  escape 
without  the  loss  of  a  single  man.  The  loss  of  the  Ameri- 
cans, in  this  affair,  amounted  to  seven  killed  and  twelve 
\rounded  ;  that  of  the  British,  according  to  their  ac* 
knowledgements,  was  five  killed  and  thirty-three  wound< 
ed ;  but  probably  much  more  considerable. 

We  have  once  more  to  record  the  infamous  and  bruta) 
deportment  of  the  enemy,  which  may  vie  with  the  fouN 
est  acts  of  the  savages  at  the  river  Kaisin.  A  series  of 
parallel  iniquities,  is  scarcely  to  be  met  with  in  history. 
The  most  infernal  imagination  can  scarcely  invent  a  ca^ 
talogue  of  crimes  Qf  equal  atrocity  and  ftend-like  wicked« 
nesfl.  Scarcely  was  this  village  in  quiet  possession 
of  tlie  invaders,  when  full  permission  was  given  to  tbe 
vilest  mercenary  wretches  which  composed  the  British  ar* 
iny,  to  give  a  loose  to  their  worst  passions  and  propensi* 
ties.  After  itcting  the  usual  scenes  of  shameless  plun* 
der  and  devastation,  in  which  officers  and  men  took  an 
equal  share  ;  they  proceeded  to  ofter  violence  to  the  per. 
sons  of  the  unfortunate  inhabitants,  whose  age,  whose 
sex,  whose  infirmities  prevented  them  from  escaping, 
The  wretched  females  were  consigned  to  the  gratifica 
lion  of  the  brutal  desires  of  a  brutal  soldiery,  with  cir 
cumstances  of  indignity  unheard  of  antongst  civilized 
men.  Wives  were  torn  from  the  sides  of  their  wounded 
husbands,  daughters  from  their  mothers,  and  violated 
in  their  presence.  Human  nature  was  shocked  beyond 
endurance  at  the  detested  spectacle  $  mothers  claspin;; 
their  helpless  babes  to  their  bosoms,  endeavoured  tu 
plunge  at  once  into  the  sea,  as  the  last  sad  refuge  of  des* 

Eair :  but  even  this  was  denied  them,  they  ^ere  driven 
ack,  and  compelled  to  undergo  what  was  worse  than 
ten  thousand  deaths.  Was  there  no  British  oflicer  who, 
on  this  occasion,  felt  for  the  honour  of  his  country,  and 
endeavoured,  at  the  risk  of  his  life,  to  save  it  from  this 


HISTORY  OF  THE  WAR. 


161 


indelible  reproach  P  It  seems  there  was  not  one.  The 
heart  of  humanity  cannot  fill  up  the  disgusting  picture 
with  its  revolting  particulars.  Would  it  be  believed 
that  a  sick  old  man  of  the  natne  of  Kirby,  unable  to  rise 
from  his  bed,  was  set  upon  by  these  fiends,  and  murdered 
in  the  arms  of  his  aged  wife,  who,  because  she  desired  to 
remonstrate,  received  the  contents  of  a  pistol  in  her  body  ! 
If  any  thing  could  be  wanting  to  complete  the  sacriligious 
picture,  it  was  their  wantonly  putting  to  death  his  faithful 
dog !  Two  sick  men  were  murdered  in  the  hospital,  the 
medical  stores  were  destroyed,  all  the  wounded  who  fell 
into  their  hands,  were  nut  only  denied  medrcal  aid,  but 
even  common  sustenance,  during  two  days,  that  they 
thus  threw  aside,  not  merely  the  character  of  Si»idiers,  of. 
christians,  but  of  men. 

-This  picture  is  by  no  means  overcharged."  It  is 
founded  upon  the  fullest  evidence  submitted  to  a  com- 
mittee of  congress,  which  reported  upon  it  in  still  stronger 
terms.  But  the  substance  was  not  denied  by  Sir  Sidney 
Beckwith,  to  whom  it  was  communicated  by  general 
Taylor,  and  the  greater  part  actually  acknowledged. 
The  feelings  of  the  people  throughout  Virginia  were^  if 
possible,  more  excited  on  this  subject,  than  were  those  of 
the  people,  of  Kentucky,  at  the  massacre  by  Proctor. 
General  Taylor,  who  comfmanded  the  station,  addressed 
a  letter  to  dir  Sidney  Beckwith,  conceived  in  that  species 
of  dignified  and  appalling  eloquence,  which  the  feelings 
of  an  honourable  man  alone  can  dictate,  on  the  subject 
of  such  an  outrage,  and  by  which  guilt  is  compelled  to  seek 
refuge  in  the  sheltering  meanness  of  falsehood  and  pre- 
varication. General  Taylor,  after  stating  the  enormities 
of  which  the^ritish  had  been  guilty,  desired  to  be  inform- 
ed of  the  nature  of  the  war  intended  to  be  carried  oa 
against  the  United  States  ;  whether  the  scenes  at  Hamp- 
ton had  been  unauthorised  by  the  British  government, 
or  whether  that  government  had  entirely  thrown  asido 
the  ordinary  usages  of  war  which  govern  civiiiztd  na« 
tions.  "  Worthless,"  said  he,  "  is  the  laurel  steeped  m 
feniale  tears,  and  joyless  the  conquests  which  have  intlict- 
ed  needless  woj  on  the  peaceful  and  uoresiating.*'    die 

14* 


^IP 


162 


HISTORY  OF  THE  WAK, 


Sidney  replied,  that  he  was  soptj  for  the  excesses  at 
Hampton,  and  hoped  that,  in  future,  the  war  would  be 
carried  on  with  as  much  regard  to  humanity  as  possible. 
This  evasive  answer  was  not  received  as  satisfactory,  one 
more  explicit  was  required.     He  then  declared  that  the 
etcesses  were  committed  in  retaliation,  for  the  conduct  on 
the  part  of  the  Americans  at  Crany  island,  in  shooting  at 
the  seamen  who  clung  to  a  barge  which  had  overset. 
General  Taylor  immeuiately  instituted  a  court  of  inqui- 
ry,  which  proved  the  charge    to  be  without  foundation. 
On  the  result  being  communicated.  Sir  Sidney  did  not 
think  proper  to  gi' e  a  written  reply;  but  promised  ver- 
bally to  withdraw  ins  troops  from  t!ie  neighbourhood,  and 
excused  liLnself,  on  the  score  of  his  not  having  been  ac- 
quainted with  tlie  kind  of  war  to  which  these  men  had 
bten  accustomed  in  Spain;  that  in  fact,  they  could  not 
be  restrained :  but  he  added,  tliat  as  soon  as  he  had  found 
them  engaged  in  such  excesses,  he  had  given  orders  for 
them  to  re-embiirk.     Tl»e  facts  will  not,  however,  support 
the  excuse,  and  there  is  no  criminal  who  has  perpetrated 
the  grcMsest  crime,  that  cannot  fabricate  as  goou.     It  is 
unpleasant  to  implicate  Admiral  Warren,  and  Sir  Sidney 
Beckwith,  in  this  detestable  affair,  as  ilieir  conduct  has 
been  in  general  of  a  different  characteri     This  is  much 
more  the  element  of  Cockburn,  who  doubtless  sliared  in 
it  with  peculiar  pleasure.     But  there  was  in  the  conduct 
of  the  two  ofliccrs  before  mentioned,  a  shameful  indiifer- 
ence  upon  a  subject,  which  so  deeply  regarded  the  charac- 
ter of  the  British  government ;  if  such  indifference  be  wise 
Ornot,  the  hi  stovy  of  the  world  will  decide.     As  to  the 
assertion  that  the  scenes  at  Hampton  were  sintiiar  to 
those  which  had  occurred  in  Spaifi,  it  by  no  means  clears 
tAie  British  character;  but,  in  reality,  such  acts  of  atrocity 
Were  never  perpetrated  in  Sjiain,  or  in  any  other  country. 
The  squadron,  during  tlie  remainder  of  the  summer, 
frequently  threatened  the  city  of  VVashington,  Annapolis 
and  Baltimore.     Large  bodies  of  militia  were  on  several 
occasions  drawn  tfut,  and  the  country  in  cimsequence 
^liiuch  harassed.      This  was  fair  and  justifiable  in  the 
'9n«niy,  and  is  nosubject  of  complaint;  and  had  any  of 


sound,     in  thi« 


rtlSTORY  OF  THE  WAKr 


163 


our  towns  been  laid  in  ashes,  white  attempting  a  resist- 
ance, it  would  only  have  been  regarded  as  a  inisfoituue 
of  war,  which  the  enemy  had  a  right  to  inHict.  Cockburn 
was  permitted  to  pursue  his  own  inclination,  in  moving 
to  the  south  with  a  formidable  squadron,  to  carry  on  in 
the  Carolina's  and  Georgia,  the  same  species  of  '.varfare 
which  he  had  so  successfully  practised  in  the  Chesapeake. 
In  the  beginning  of  July,  tlie  admiral  appeared  oft'  Ocra,- 
coke,  a  village  of  North  Carolina,  and  shortly  after 
crossed  the  bar ;  and,  with  a  number  of  barges,  attacked 
two  private  armed  vessels,  the  Anaconda  and  the  Atlas, 
which,  after  a  gallant  resistance,  were  captured.  The 
Revenue  cutter,  then  in  port,  made  her  escape  to  i!\ c w- 
bern,  at  which  place  the  militia  assembled  in  such  num- 
bers, that  the  admirals  designs  upon  it  were  frustrated. 
He  landed  about  three  thousand  men,  then  proceeded  to 
I  Portsmouth,  and  having  treated  the  inhabitants  in  the 
[same  manner  as  he  had  treated  those  of  the  Chesapeake^ 
he  returned  with  a  valuable  booty,  and  a  number  of 
slaves,  who  had  been  induced  to  leave  their  masters,  un- 
der a  promise  of  freedom,  but  wlio  were  afterwards  sold 
I  Id  the  West-Indies. 

To  the  north  of  the  Chesapeake,  although  these  dis- 
I graceful  depredations  were  not  committed,  the  coast  was 
Inot  exempt  from  the  effects  of  war.     A  strict  blockade 
was  kept   up  at  New-York.      The  American  frigates, 
United  States,  and  Macedonian,  and  the  sloop  Hornet, 
attempted  to  sail  on  a  cruise  from  that  port  about  the  be- 
ginning of  May  ;  but  finding  the  force  at  the  Hook  much 
supei'iour  to  theirs,  they  put  back,  and  passed  through 
Hell  Gate,    with  the  intention  of  passing  out  by  the 
Isound^     In  this  they  were  once  more  frustrated  ;  and 
ion  the  first  of  June,  after  another  attempt,  they  were 
jGhased  into  New  London.    Six  hundred  militia  were 
immediately  called  in  from  the  surrounding  country,  for 
[the  protection  of  the  squadron;  commodore    Decatur, 
landmg  some  of  his  guns,  mounted  a  battery  on  the  shore, 
land  at  the  same  time  so  lightened  his  vessels,  as  te  en* 
(able  them  to  ascend  the  river  out  of  the  reach  of  the  ene- 
Imy.   This  place  was  su  well  fortified,  that  i^o  attempt 


164 


HISl'DRY  OF  THE  WAR. 


Ivaa  made  upon  it,  but  the  blockade  was  strictly  kept 
up  for  many  months. 

It  is  pleasing  to  contrast  the  conduct  of  commodore 
Hardy,  who  commanded  the  squadron  north  of  the  Cliesa. 
peake,  with  that  of  Cockburn.  His  conduct  was  uoi- 
formiy  that  of  a  brave,  humane,  and  honourable  officer. 
Although  he  frequently  landed  on  different  parts  of  the 
coast ;  liis  deportment  was  such  as  might  be  expected 
from  a  manly  and  generous  enemy.  Sucn  an  enemy  we 
had  reas:on  to  dread;  hut  the  depredations  of  the  other, 
could  only  tend  to  provoke  the  inhabitants  of  this  coun* 
try,  and  to  sink  all  party  feelings  in  the  opposition  to 
the  war.  If  the  procedure  of  Cockburn  was  authorised 
by  his  government,  it  was  dictated  by  a  very  mistaken 
policy,  for  notliing  could  more  effectually  heal  political 
difierences,  and  render  the  war  a  common  cause  with 
every  American. 

An  act  of  congress  had  been  passed  during  the  last  win. 
ter,  which  cannot  be  mentioned  without  feelings  of  re. 
gret.  Some  excuse  may  be  found  for  it  in  the  irritation 
produced,  in  consequence  of  the  mode  of  warfare  which 
the  enemy  had  threatened  to  pursue.  By  this  act,  a  re?. 
ward  of  half  the  vessels  destroyed,  was  offered  to  such 
as  should  effect  the  destruction,  by  any  other  means,  than. 
by  the  armed  or  commissioned  vessels  of  the  United 
States.  The  measure  originated  with  the  torpedo  scheme, 
of  which  so  much  at  that  time  was  said.  There  is  some- 
thing unmanly  in  this  insidious  mode  of  annoyance  j  itis 
not  justifiable  even  for  defence  against  an  unsparing  foe. 
It  is  but  little  better  than  poisoning  fountains,  and  prepar* 
ing  mines.  Valour  can  claim  no  share  in  such  exploits, 
and  to  the  brave  mind  little  pleasure  can  be  derived  from 
the  recollection  of  having  thus  treacherously  destroyed 
an  enemy.  It  is  forbidden  by  the  same  I'eason  which  for* 
bids  us  to  strike  the  unresisting,  because  there  is  no  oppor* 
tunity  of  defence.  The  laurel  which  is  not  fairly  won, 
is  of  no  value  to  the  real  hero.  It  had  been  in  the  pow* 
er  of  general  Sinclair,  to  have  poisoned  his  spirituous 
liquors  at  the  moment  of  his  defeat,  and  to  have  des< 
troyed  our  cruel  enemy  $  but  shame  would  have  followed 
the  infliction  of  such  an  injury,  even  upon  savages. 


HISTORY  OF  THE  WAR. 


J  65 


Several  attempts  at  blowing  up  the  enemy's  vessels 
were  made,  in  consequence  of  tne  law.    The  most  rr- 
markable,  were  those  against  the  Ramilies,  the  admiral's 
ship,  the  other  against  the  Plantagenet.  Sometime  in  June, 
the  schooner  Eagle  having  been  filled   with  flour  barrels, 
and  containing  a  quantity  of  ^un-powder,  had  a  gun-lock 
fixed  at  the  bottom,  so  contrived  as  to  explode  the  pow- 
der in  the  att<Hnpt  to  unload.  She  was  then  thrown  in  the 
way  of  the  blockading  squadron's  boats ;  fortunately,  the 
seamen,  instead  of  talking  her  along  side  of  the  Ramilies, 
determined  first  to  take  out  some  of  the  cargo  ;  in  doing 
this,  the  schooner  blew  up,  and  destroyed  several  of  the 
British  seamen.  The  next  experiment  was  made  with  the 
torpedo,  against  the  Plantagenet,  then  lying  below  Nor- 
folk.   After  four  or  five  attempts,  in  which  the  persons 
ensiged  could  not  come  sufilciently  near  the  ship,  without 
being  discovered,  the  torpedo  was  dropped  at  the  dis* 
tance  of  a  hundred  yards,  and  swept  down  by  the  tide, 
and  on  approaching  the  vessel,  exploded  in  the  most  aw- 
Ail  manner ;  an  immense  column  of  water  was  thrown 
up,  which  fell  with  vast  weight  upon  the  deck ;  a  yawn- 
ing gulph  was  opened,  in  which  she  appeared  to  have  beea 
swallowed  up.     By  the  light  of  the  explosion,  it  was  dis- 
tovered  that  the  forecastle  had  been  blown  off.    Th& 
ship's  crew  soon  after  took  to  their  boats,  completely  pa- 
nick  struck.    Commodore  Hardy  was  justly  indignant 
at  this  attempt,  and  protested  in  strong  terms  against  a 
species  of  annoyance  which  he  considered  dishonourable. 
Ithad  the  effect,  however,  of  compelling  the  enemy  to  be 
extremely  cautious  in  his  approach  to  our  liaibours  ;  and 
although  the  torpedo  system  was  not  afterwards  put  in 

Eractice,  the  enemy's  apprehensions  from  it;  served  to 
eep  them  at  a  greater  distance.  If  any  thing  could 
justify  this  mode  of  attack,  it  had  been  the  scenes  of 
Hampton,  and  the  deportment  of  Cockburu  and  iiiscrew  ; 
but  commodore  Hardy  was  a  generous  enemy,  and  m€* 
rited  a  diftere at  treatment 


SOiakiDtmSi. 


0- 


166 


HIStORY  OF  TBE  WAR. 


€HAPTER  IX. 

•Mivft/  affairs — The  Hornet  captures  the  Peacock^The 
Shannon  captures  the  Chesapeake-^The  Pelican  cap. 
tares  the, ^rgut'^^Tht  Enterprixe  captures  the  Boxer 
— Cruize  i;   <,vmmodore  Porter  in  the  South  Seas-^ 

•  Cruize  of  ?n»i?  .'ir«?  Rodger^^Of  captain  Sterret-- 
The  Privtti  "  it  evzral  Armstrong — The  Jbecatur  cap- 
tures the  Dominica. 

It  is  now  time  to  return  to  the  aflkirs  of  our  navy.  Our 
vessels  still  continued  to  annoy  the  enemy,  in  spite  ofliep 
thousand  ships,  which  hunted  them  in  squadrons  through 
every  Bca.  Instead  of  courting  an  engagement  with 
them,  they  studiously  avoided  coming  in  contact,  where 
their  force  was  not  greatly  superiour.  The  "  fir  built  fri- 
gates" of  America,  had  all  at  once  become  ships  of  the 
line,  and  Great  Britain  razeed  or  cut  down  her  seventy* 
fours,  that  she  might  have  vessels  to  engage  with  ours  oa 
equal  terms.  Thus  far  it  was  shown  to  tlie  world,  that 
the  Americans  might  yield  to  superiour  force,  but  could 
not  be  conquered.  The  United  States  had  now  become 
80  sensible  of  ti)e  importance  of  their  marine,  that  con- 
gress, during  the  last  session,  had  authorised  the  buildj/ig 
several  additional  vessels,  and  it  was  proposed  to  conti- 
nue to  augment  our  navy,  by  annual  appropriations  for  this 
purpose.  This  was  undoubtedly  wise  policy;  for  what- 
ever we  have  to  fear  from  a  considerable  standing  army, 
there  can  be  no  cause  of  distrust  of  a  navy.  Besides,  it 
is  only  on  that  element  we  can  come  in  contact  with  an 
enemy  of  consequence.  Fortunately  for  us,  our  territo- 
ry adjoins  to  that  of  no  power,  from  which  we  need  ap- 
prehend any  great  danger;  tlie  colonies  of  England  and 
of  Spain,  might  have  reason  to  feur  us,  if  the  genius  of 
our  government  were  not  opposed  to  conquest ;  but  ^ve 
have  no  cause  to  fear  thejn.  On  the  ocean,  however,  we 
must  unavoidably  come  in  contact   with  other  nations, 


HISTORY  OF  THE  WAR. 


16t 


us  long  as  we  pretend  to  have  conrnmerce  $  and  without 
a  navy  that  cummerce  cannot  be  protected. 

In  the  last  chapter^  on  the  subject  of  our  naval  war,  it 
viil  be  recollected,  that  the  Hornet  was  left  to  blockade 
the  Bonne  Citoyenne,  at  St.  Salvador.  This  vessel  was 
formallj  chalianged  by  the  Hornet ;  but  whether  from  her 
unwillingness  to  risk  the  loss  of  a  quantity  of  specie 
which  she  had  on  boards  or  that  she  was  not  inclined  to 
engage  in  the  combat,  though  of  superiuur  force,  she 
tiiought  proper  to  pay  no  attention  to  the  challenge.— 
Oommodure  Bainbridge,  we  have  seen,  had  parted  from 
the  Hornet  at  this  place,  in  order  that  the  Bonne  Citoy- 
enite  mi^ht  have  no  excuse  for  declining  the  invitation, 
and  it  will  be  recollected  how  doriously  he  met  the  Java 
a  few  days  afterwanls.  The  Hornet  continued  the 
blockade  until  the  24th  of  January,  when  the  Montague 
hove  in  sight,  and  compelled  her  to  escape  into  port. 
She  ran  out,  however,  the  same  night,  and  proceeded  on 
a  cruise.  Her  commander  first  shaped  his  course  to  Per- 
nambuco,  and  on  the  4th  of  February  captured  the  English 
trig  Resolution,  of  ten  guns,  with  2S,000  dollars  in  spe- 
cie. He  then  ran  down  the  coast  of  Moranham,  cruiz- 
ed oflf  tliere  a  short  time,  and  thence  off  Surinam, 
where  he  also  cruized  for  some  time,  and  on  the  22d 
stood  for  Oemerara.  The  next  day,  he  discovered  an 
English  bri^  of  war  lying  at  anchor  outside  of  the  bar, 
and  on  beating  around  Carabona  Bank,  to  come  near  her, 
he  discovered,  at  half  past  three  in  the  afternoon,  another 
sail  on  his  weather  quarter,  edging  down  for  him.  This 
proved  to  be  a  large  man  of  war  brig,  the  Peacock,  cap- 
tain Pealc,  semewnat  superiour  to  the  Hornet  in  force. 
Captain  Lawrence  manceuvred  sometime  to  gain  the  wea- 
ther guage,  then  hoisted  the  American  ensign,  tacked 
about,  and  in  passing  each  other,  they  exchanged  broad- 
sides at  the  distance  of  pistol  shot  The  Peacock  being 
then  discovered  in  the  act  of  wearing,  Lawrence  now 
bore  up,  received  his  starboard  broadside,  ran  her  down 
en  board,  on  the  starboard  quarter,  and  poured  into  her 
90  heavy  a  fire,  that  in  fifteen  minutes  she  not  only  sur- 
fbudered,  but  hoisted  a  signal  of  distress,  as  she  was  It-^ 


168 


HISTORY  OF  THE  M^AR. 


tcrally  cut  to   pieces,  and  had  already  six  feet  water 
in  her  hold. 

Lieutenant  Shubrick,  w!iosc  conduct  in  this  affair  was 
not  less  conspicuous  than  in  the  actions  with  tlie  Guer- 
riere  and  Java,  was  despatched  to  brin^  her  officers  ami 
crew  on  board  the  Hornet.  He  found  that  the  captain 
of  the  vanquished  vessel  had  been  killed,  the  greater 
part  of  the  crew  had  been  either  killed  or  wounded,  an^ 
that  the  vessel  was  sinking  fast,  in  spite  of  every  eifort 
to  keep  her  above  water.  Every  exertion  was  made 
to  take  off  the  crew  before  the  vessel  sunk  ;  her  guns 
were  thrown  overboard,  the  shot  holes  were  plugged 
and  a  part  of  the  Hornet's  crew,  at  the  risk  of  their  lives, 
aboured  incessantly  to  save  the  vanquished.  The  ut* 
most  efforts  of  these  generous  men  were  vain ;  she  sunk 
in  the  midst  of  them,  carrying  down  nine  of  her  own 
crew,  and  three  of  the  American,  Thus  did  our  gallant 
countrymen  twice  risk  their  lives,  first  in  the  cause  of 
their  country,  and  next  in  the  cause  of  humanity;  firstto 
conquer  their  enemies,  and  then  to  save  them.  These 
are  actions,  which  unfortunately  fall  too  rarely  to  the  lot 
of  the  historian  to  record.  Of  all  our  naval  victories,  this 
is  the  one  which  Americans  recollect  with  most  pleasure; 
and  surely  there  cannot  be  a  h^her  proof  of  the  generosi* 
ty  of  feeling  which  predominates  in  the  nation.  The 
crew  of  the  Hornet  divided  their  cloathing  with  the  prj* 
soners,  who  were  left  destitute  by  the-sinking  of  the  snip; 
and  so  sensible  were  the  officers  of  the  generous  treat* 
ment,  which  they  experienced  from  capUin  Lawrence 
and  his  men,  that  on  their  arrival  at  New -York)  they  ex- 
pressed their  gratitude  in  a  publick  letter  of  thanks.  ''  So 
much,'*  say  they,  "  was  done  to  alleviate  the  uncomfort- 
able and  distressing  situation  in  which  we  were  placed, 
when  received  on  board  the  ship  you  command,  that  we 
cannot  better  express  our  feelings,  than  by  saying,  we 
ceased  to  consider  ourselves  prisoners  ;  and  every  thing 
that  friendship  could  dictate,  was  adopted  by  you  and  the 
officers  of  the  Hornet,  to  remedy  the  inconvenience  we 
otherwise  would  have  experienced,  from  the  unavoidable 
loss  of  the  whole  of  our  property  and  dothej,  by  the  sud- 


HISTORY  OF  THE  WAR. 


1&9 


lien  sinking  of  the  Peacock."    This  praise  is  worth  more 
than  a  victory. 

The  Ho/net  received  but  a  slight  injury  ;  the  number 
of  killed  and  wounded,  on  board  the  Peacock,  could 
not  be  exactly  ascertained,  but  was  sufiposed  to  exceed 
fifty.  The  officers  mentioned,  as  having  distinguished 
themselves  on  this  occasion,  were  lieutenants  Conner 
and  Newton,  and  midshipmen  Cooper,  Mayo,  GetZy 
Smoot,  Tippet,  Bcerum  and  Titus.  Lieutenant  Stew- 
art was  unfortunately  too  ill  to  take  a  part  in  the  action. 
On  the  10th  of  April,  a  few  days  ftfter  the  arrival  of 
I  the  Hornet,  the  Chesapeake,  that  "ill-omened  bark,'* 
returned  to  Boston,  after  a  cruize  of  four  months.  Her 
commander,  captain  Evans,  having  been  appointed  to 
the  New -York  station,  she  was  assigned  to  captain  Law- 
1  rence. 

The  British,  whose  mortification  at  their  repeated  de- 
Ifeats  may  be  easily  imagined,  and  who  regarded  the  re* 
putation  of  their  navy  as  their  great  bufwark,  had  be- 
come seriously  alarmed.    If  the  charm  of  their  fancied 
Iguperiority  on  this  element  were  once  destroyed,  other 
[nations,  who  had  now  yielded  to  them  the  palm,  might 
Iconceive  the  idea  of  conquering  also.    A  fearful  exam- 
Iple  was  set  to  the  European  wond  by  America.     In  some 
Irecent  rencounters,  even  the  French  who  had  been  so  un- 
Ifortunate  in  their  naval  combats  with  the  British,  had  be- 
Igun  to  pluck  up  courage.    Something  must  be  done  to  re* 
Itrieve  their  naval  character,   or  all  their  naval   son^ 
Imust  be  burnt,  and  their  naval  boasts  must  be  at  an  end. 
Ia  course  was  naturally  fallen  upon  of  selecting  one  of 
Itheir  best  frigates,  manned  by  picked  seamen,  and  exer- 
kised  with  all  possible  pains,  for  the  special  purpose.  They 
[deigned  to  copy  every  thing  which  in  reality,  or  which 
Hey  fancied,  prevailed  in  the  American  ships.    There 
vas  an  idie  insinuation,  that  American  back-woods-meij^ 
me  placed  in  the  tops  for  the  purpose  of  shooting  th^ 
officers.    Sharp-shootiers  were  now  carefully  trained,  and 
lirected  to  aim  only  at  the  oflficers  of  the  Americans, 
ffhus  provided  with  a  chosen  ship,  and  picked  seamen, 
captain  Brooke  appeared   with  tlho   Shaonon   oa   the 

16 


iro 


HISTORY  OF  THE  WAR. 


k 


American  coast.  In  April,  oif  Boston  harbour,  he  sent 
a  bravado  to  the  President,  commodore  Rogers,  who  hap. 
pened  to  be  there.  On  the  23d,  this  vessel,  with  the  Con* 
gress,  captain  Smith,  sailed  on  a  cruise;  but  the  Shan- 
non, then  in  company  with  the  Tenedos,  either  inten- 
tionally avoided  them,  or  by  accident  happened  to  be  out 
of  the  way.  The  Shannon  sometime  afterwards  returned, 
and  sent  a  formal  challenge  to  captain  Lawrence,  who 
had  just  taken  the  command ;  this  was  unfortunately  not 
received  by  him. 

We  are  now  to  relate  an  occurrence  which  imparts  a 
melancholy  tinge  to  our  naval  chronicle,  thus  far  so  bril. 
liant ;  an  occurrence  in  which  uncontrollable  fortune  had 
the  largest  share  ;  but  in  the  midst  of  visitations  which 
fill  our  heai-ts  with  sorrow,  we  shall  find  matter  of  cod- 
solation,  almost  a  recompense  for  our  misfortune,  ('ap. 
tain  Lawrence,  on  arriving  to  take  command  of  his  ship, 
VI&9  informed  that  a  British  frigate  was  lying  before  the 
harbour,  apparently  courting  a  combat  with  an  American. 
Listening  onlj^  to  the  dicta4:es  of  his  generous  nature, 
he  burned  with  impatience  to  meet  uie  enemy,  and 
unfortunately  did  not  sufficiently  pause  to  examine  whetli* 
cr  the  terms  were  equal,  'uie  greater  part  of  the 
Chesapeake's  crew  had  been  discharged,  others  to  sup- 
ply their  places  were  enlisted,  several  of  his  officers  were, 
sick,  ana  that  kind  of  mutual  confidence,  arising  from  a 
knowledge  of  each  other,  was  wanting  between  himself 
and  his  men.  But  he  could  not  brook  the  thought  ot  be* 
ins  thus  defied.  On  the  first  of  June  he  sailed  forth,  re- 
solved to  try  his  fortune.  When  he  came  in  si^ht  of  the 
Shannon,  he  made  a  short  address  to  his  crew,l)ut  found 
it  received  with  no  enthusiasm ;  they  murmured,  allegina 
as  the  cause  of  complaint,  that  their  prize  money  haa 
not  been  paid ;  he  immediately  gave  them  tickets  for  it, 
and  thougnt  they  were  now  reconciled ;  but,  unfortunately, 
they  were  at  this  moment  almost  in  a  state  of  mutiny. 
Several  foreigners,  who  had  accidentally  found  their  way 
into  the  crew,  had  succeeded  in  poisoning  their  mirAd 
The  brave  Lawrence,  consulted  his  own  heart,  and  lootj 


HISTORY  OF  THE  WAR. 


in 


^i  only  to  the  enemy  without,  and  not  to  the  enemj 
within. 

The  Shannon,  observing  the  Chesapeake,   put  to  sea^ 
and  was  followed  by  her.    At  half  past  five,  the  Chesa- 
peake  closed   with   the  enemy,  gave  him  a  broadside^ 
which  was  returned,  equally  destructive  on  both  sides  $ 
but  the  Chesapeake  was  particularly  unfortunate  in  the 
luss of  oflicers ;  the  sailing  master  White,  was  killed; 
lieutenant  Ballard,  mortally  wounded;  lieutenant  Brown, 
of  the  marines,  and  captain  Lawrence,  himself,  severely 
wounded  :  the  latter  leaned  on  the  companion  way,   al- 
though in  great  pain,  and  still  continued  to  give  orders. 
A  second  and  a  third  broadside  were  exchanged,   with 
evident  advantage  on  the  side  of  the  Chesapeake,  but  the 
game  misfortune  in  loss  of  officers  continued ;  the  first 
lieutenant  Ludlow,  was  carried  below  severely  wound- 
ed'; three  men  were  successively  shot  from  the  wheel ;  a 
shot  disabled  her  foresail,  so  that  she  could  no  longer  an- 
swer her  helm.    Being  disabled  in  her  rising,  the  Chesa- 
peake then  fell  with  her  quarter  on  the  Shannon's  an- 
chor..    This  accident  may  be  considered  as  having  de- 
cided the  contest ;  an  opportunity  was  then  ^iven  ofrak- 
ing  the- Chesapeake,  and,  towards  the  close  ot  the  action, 
of  boarding.      Captain   Lawrence,    although    severely 
wounded,  still  persisted  in  keeping  the  deck,  now  com- 
manded the  boarders  to  be  called  up  f  at  this  moment  a 
musket  ball  entered  his  body,  and  he  was  carried  below, 
having  first  pronounced   tiiese  memorable  words,  which 
have  become  the  motto  of  the  American  navy,  don't  give 
vr  THE  SHIP.     The  officers  of  the  (Chesapeake  were  near- 
ly all  killed,    and  the  command  devolved  on  lieutenant 
Budd.  who  called  up  the  men  for  the  purpose  of  carrying 
the  order  of  Lawrence  into  execution.     At  this  t/o^e 
captain  Brook,  finding  that  his  vessel  had  received    sq 
many  shots  between  wind  and  water,   that  tJiere  vria 
danger  of  her  sinking,    ana    perceiving  the  confusion 
! which  reigned  on  board  the  American,  and  yet  fearful 
that  victory  might  slip  from  his  grasp,  threw  twenty  of 
I  his  marines  on  board,  and  immediately  followed    them. 
Lieutenant  Budd  endeavoured  to  shoot  th^  vessel  clear 


ire 


HISTORY  OF  THK  WAR. 


of  the  Shannon  ;  but  being  soon  after  wounded,  and  a 
part  of  the  crew  In  a  state  of  mutiny,  the  scheme  entirely 
failed.  Ar..nib6r,  however,  still  continued  to  fight  with 
unalterable  resolution  ;  captain  Brooke  was  shot  through 
the  neck  bj  ?/ir.  Livermorei,  the  chaplain,  who  was 
immediately  cut  down ;  but  the  captain,  a  moment  after, 
received  a*^  wound  in  the  head,  and  was  carried  on 
board  Km  own  shipi  Lieutenant  Watt,  who  now  com- 
manded the  enemy,  was  shot;  but  a  large  reinforce- 
ment vcoming  to  the  assistance  of  the  enemy,  they 
gair^ed  possession  of  the  deck,  and  soon  after  hoisted 
the  English  fla^. 

In  this  sanguinary  conflict,  twenty-three  of  the  enemy 
were  killed,  and  fifty-six  wounded ;  amongst  the  killea, 
her  first  lieutenant,  her  clerk,  and  purser,  and  amongst 
the  wounded  her  captain.  On  board  the  Chesapeake, 
the  captain,  the  first  and  fourth  lieutenants,  the  lieu- 
tenant of  marines,  the  master,  the  midshipmen  Hope< 
well,  liivingston,  Evans,  and  about  seventy  men  killed; 
and  the  second  and  third  lieutenants,  the  chaplain, 
midshipmen  Weaver,  Abbot,  Nicholls,  Berry,  and  about 
eighty  men  wounded.  The  greater  proportion  of  this 
loss  was  sustained  after  the  enemy  had  gamed  thie  deck^ 
The  British  have  been  charged  with  a  cruel  and  ungener* 
ous  conduct  towards  the  vanquished.  We  could  wish 
that  this  charge  had  been  properly  repelled,  if  not  true. 
It  is  said  that,  after  the  Americans  had  submitted,  they 
continued  the  work  of  destruction,  and  that  the  treatment 
to  the  prisoners  was  not  of  that  liberal  kind  whicii  might 
have  been  expected  from  manly  generosity.  The  liberah^ 
ty  of  their  subsequent  conduct,  leads  us  to  wish  that  no 
such  complaints  could  be  made  against  them.  The  bodies 
of  our  naval  heroes,  Lawrence  and  Ludlow,  on  their  arri- 
val at  Halifax,  were  interred  with  every  honour,  civil,  na- 
val and  military,  which  they  could  bestow,  and  no  testi- 
mony of  respect  that  was  due  to  their  memories  was  left 
unpaid.  They  were  afterwards  brought  to  the  United 
States,  by  Mr.  Crowninshield  of  Boston,  who  obtained  a 
passport  from  commodore  Hardy  for  the  purpose,  in  a 


HISTORY  OF  THE  WAR. 


irs 


vessel  manned  by  twelve  masters  of  vessels,  who  volun- 
teered their  services  on  the  occasion. 

The  loss  of  the  Chesapeake  has  been  justly  attributed 
to  the  accident  of  her  falling  on  board  the  Shannon,  and 
to  the  mutinous  state  of  her  crew.  She  was  somewhat 
infei'iour  in  force  also,  but  this  ought  not  to  be  taken  into 
consideration ;  for  until  the  fatal  accident,  the  advant^e 
was  decidedly  in  her  favour.  However  this  may  be^ 
we  can  spare  to  Great  Britain  this  victory,  as  some  slight 
consolation  for  her  former  and  subsequent  drubbings* 
And  never  did  any  victory  produce  such  extravagant  re- 
joicing. Not  the  land  victories  of  Wellington  in  Spain, 
nor  even  the  victories  of  Nelson,  called  forth  such  expres- 
sions of  satisfaction;  a  proof  that  our  naval  character 
had  risen  somewhat  in  her  ea|imation.  In  the  United 
States  it  was  regarded  as  an  accident,  which  proved  na 
superiority  on  the  part  of  the  British,  and  it  was  lament* 
ed  chiefly  for  the  loss  of  our  brave  officers.- 

The  tide  of  fortune  seemed  for  a  short  time  in  favour 
of  Great  Britain.  On  the  fourth  of  August,  another  of 
our  national  vessels  was  captured  by  the  enemy.  The  * 
Argus,  after  carrying  out  Mr.  Crawford,  our  minister  to 
France,  in  the  spring  of  1813,  proceeded,  early  in  June, 
to  cruise  in  the  British  channel,  where  she  continued  for 
two  months  to  commit  great  havock  on  the  British  ship-- 
ping.  So  much  uneasiness  did  she  cause,  that  the  Eng« 
lish  merchants  were  unable  to  effect  an  insurance  on 
their  vessels,  under  three  times  the  usual  premium.  The 
British  government  v/as  induced,  at  last,  to  send  several 
vessels  on  purpose  to  chase  off  this  daring  enemy.  Oa 
the  fourteenth,  at  four  in  the  morning,  the  Pelican,  a 
sloop  of  war,  of  considerably  greater  force  than  the  ArguSy 
obtained  a  sight  of  her  by  the  light  of  a  brig  which  the 
latter  had  set  on  fire.  The  Argus  iinm».'d lately  prepar- 
ed to  receive  the  enemy ;  at  five  o'clock  the  action  com- 
menced at  the  distance  of  musket  shot,  the  Pelicau  nav* 
ine  the  weather  gage.  At  the  first  broadside  captain 
Allen  fell,  severely  wounded,  but  remained  on  deck  un- 
[  til  several  broadsides  were  exchanged,  when  ne  was  car- 
ried helow,  leaving  the  command  to  lieutenant  Wataou*  - 

15* 


a&fife...;,-..^.. 


174 


HISTORY  OF  THE  WA». 


At  half  past  six,  the  rigging  of  the  Argus  was  so  cut  up, 
as  to  render  her  almost  unmanageable  ;  the  lieutenant 
was  severely  wounded  in  the  head,  and  the  command 
devolved  on  William  H.  Allen,  Jun.  who  for  some  time, 
with  great  exertions,  defeated  the  attempts  of  tlie  Peli. 
can  to  gain  a  raking  position.  At  thirty-five  minutes 
past  six,  the  Argus  having  lost  her  wheel  ropes,  and  run- 
ning  rigging,  could  no  longer  be  manceuvred,  and  the 
Pelican  chose  a  position  in  which  none  of  the  guns  of  the 
Argus  could  be  brought  to  bear  upon  her ;  she  had  nothing 
to  oppose  to  repeated  raking  broadsides,  but  musketry, 
At  forty-seven  minutes  past  six  she  surrendered,  with 
the  loss  of  six  killed  and  seventeen  wounded  ;  on  board 
the  Pelican  there  were  three  killed,  and  five  wounded. 
Captain  Allen  died  soon  after  in  England,  together  witii 
midshipmen  Delphy  and* Edwards,  and  they  were  all  in- 
terred with  the  honours  of  war.  The  Pelican  was  a  sloop 
of  20  guns,  the  Argus  of  18,  but  the  victory  in  this  in- 
stance  may  be  fairly  awarded  to  the  English.  Our  officers 
and  memdid  their  duty,  but  were  compelled  to  submit 
to  a  more  fortunate  adversary.  Captain  Allen  was  just- 
ly a  favourite  in  this  country,  and  his  death  <>n  this  occa- 
sion only  served  to  render  his  memory  the  more  dear 
to  his  countrymen.  To  put  our  ingenuity  to  the  rack 
in  finding  elxcuses  for  this  defeat,  would  be  but  to  imi- 
tate the  British,  who  have  not  allowed  us  a  single  fait 
naval  victory,  out  of  at  least  twenty  instances,  m  wltich 
their  national  flag  has  struck  to  ours.  If  accidents  may 
happen  in  twenty  successive  cases,  why  may  they  not 
happen  in  one  or  two ;  but  we  do  not  regard  thein  as 
such. 

By  letters  dated  early  in  July,  news  reached  the  Unit- 
ed tStates  from  captain  Porter,  who  had  captured  sevp- 
ral  British  vessels  in  the  South  Seas,  aud  was  then  cruis- 
ing with  great  success,  his  crew  in  fine  health.  He  haJ 
actually  created  a  fleet,  of  nine  sail,  by  means  of  vessels 
captured  on  those  seas,  eight  ofv/hich  had  been  letters 
of  marque  ;  and  he  was  at  this  time  completely  master  of 
the  Pacific  ocean.  This  may  be  regarded  as  a  novelty  in 
^aval  incidents  $  and  there  is  no  doubt,  had  it  been  pet* 


WSTORY  OF  THE  WAR. 


\75 


formed  by  an  English  naval  commander,  it  would  have 
been  applauded  to  the  skies,  but  in  an  American  it  was 
the  deportment  of  a  buccanier.  By  none  of  our  com- 
manders has  there  been  so  mucli  injury  done  to  British 
commerce  ;  against  none  of  them  have  they  been  so  pro- 
fuse in  their  invective.  On  the  list  of  his  captures  were 
two  fine  English  sliips,  pierced  for  twenty  guns,  and  car- 
rying between  them  sixteen,  with  fifty-five  men,  and  on 
board  a  considerable  sum  in  specie.  On  the  twenty -sixth 
of  March,  he  fell  in  with  a  Spanish  ship,  the  Nereyda, 
which  ha«l  been  engaged  in  capturing  American  ships  ;  he 
took  tlie  liberty  of  throwing  her  guns  overboard,  and 
liberatingthe  ships  and  prisoners,  the  pirate  had  captur- 
ed. This  is  probably  one  of  the  grounds  upon  which 
commodore  Porter  has  been  charged  with  the  conduct  of 
a buccanier. 

The  British  were  not  long  permitted  to  rejoice  in 
the  concjuest  of  tlie  Argus  ;  victory  once  more  returned 
to  the  side  of  justice,  **  free  trade  and  sailor's  rights." 
The  brig  Enterprize,  lieutenant  William  Blirrows,  sailed 
from  Portsmouth  on  a  cruise,  about  the  first  of  Septem- 
ber. On  the  fifth,  a  large  man  of  war  brig  was  discover- 
ed, to  which  he  gave  chase.  The  enemy,  after  firing  se- 
veral guns,  stood  for  the  Enterprize  with  several  ensigns 
hoisted.  She  proved  to  be  the  Boxer,  of  force  somewhat 
superiour  to  the  Enterprize.  At  twenty  minutes  after 
three,  the  firing  commenced  on  both  sides,  within  pistol 
shot.  After  the  action  had  continued  fifteen  minutes  the 
I  Enterprize  ranged  ahead,  and  raked  her,  which  she  con- 
I  tinued  for  twenty  minutes,  when  the  enemy  ceased  fir- 
ing, and  cried  for  quarter,  being  unable  to  haul  down  her 
flag,  as  it  had  been  nailed  to  the  mast.  The  Enterprize 
had  one  killed  and  tliirteen  wounded,  but  that  one 
was  the  lamented  Burrows.  He  fell  at  the  commence- 
ment of  the  action,  and  refused  to  auit  the  deck,  but  rais- 
ing his  head,  with  a  noble  spirit,  he  requested  that  the 
flag  might  never  be  struck.  When  the  sword  of  the 
enemy  was  presented  to  him,  he  exclaimed  with  enthu- 
siasm, clasping  it  to  his  breast,  ^*  1  die  contented  ',**  and 
not  till  then  would  he  permit  himself  to  be  carried  be- 


l...L»..„^^J(,_L._^. 


ire 


HISTORY  OF  THE  WAR. 


low.  Who  will  say  that  such  a  death  is  not  truly  hero- 
ick  ?  while  such  a  spirit  resides  in  the  breasts  of  our  sea- 
men, they  may  indeed  be  called  invincibles  5  their  bodies 
may  be  subdued,  but  their  souls  never  can.  The  British 
loss  was  much  move  considerable,  but  not  properly  as- 
certaiiie<l;  it  is  supposed,  however,  that  between  tliirty 
and  forty  killed  and  wounded,  among  the  former  her 
commander,  captain  Blythe.  The  bravado  of  nailing  the 
fla^  to  the  mast,  is  an  additional  proof  of  the  terrour  in 
which  the  Americans  were  now  held  by  the  enemy,  which 
before  affected  to  despise  them.  The  contrivance  of 
nailing  the  flag,  was  probably  borrowed  from  the  Odys^ 
sey,  where  Ulysses  caused  fiimself  to  be  bound  to  the 
mast,  thai;  he  might  escape  the  song  of  the  Syrens,  which 
even  his  great  wisdom  could  not  withstand. 

The  two  commanders,  both  promising  young  men, 
were  interred  beside  each  other  at  Portland,  with  milita- 
ry honours.  The  British,  as  usual,  set  themselves  t: 
work  to  detract  from  the  honours  of  this  victory. 

On  the  26th'of  September,  the  President,  conuiiodore 
Rodgers,  arrived  at  Newport,  Rhode-Island,  after  a 
cruize  of  unusual  length.  He  put  to  sea  on  the  30th  of 
April,  in  company  with  the  Congress,  captain  Suutl', 
Alter  cruizing  off  our  coast  without  any  important  u- 
currence,  they  parted  on  the  8th  of  May,  and  the  coin- 
modore  shaped  his  course  to  intercept  the  British  West 
India  trade  ;  but  meeting  wiii  i".>,hing  in  this  quarter,  he 
stood  towards  the  A/.ores,  w...  he  continued  until  the 
6th  of  June,  without  meeting  any  of  the  enemy's  vessels* 
From  information  which  he  now  received,  he  shaped  his 
course  to  intercept  the  convoy  from  the  West  Indies  to 
£ngland.  In  this  he  was  not  successful,  but  made  four 
captures,  between  the  9th  and  13th  of  June.  He  next 
cruized  in  the  track  from  Newfoundland  to  St.  George's 
Channel,  but  without  meeting  a  single  vessel ;  being 
short  of  provisions,  he  put  into  Novui  Bevgen  on  the 
27th  of  June.  He  thence  steered  towards  the  Orkneys, 
to  intercept  a  convoy  from  Archangel;  but  about  the 
mvMle  of  July,  when  in  momentary  expectation  of  meet- 
ing with  it,  he  was  cha&ed  by  a  ship  of  the  line  and  a 


.£^*.*-..->  ^*'. 


HISTORY  OF  THE  WAR. 


m 


"■y^ 


f/igate^  for  several  days,  owin^  to  the  ]ightne§s  of  the 
\vind8.  He  next  steered  to  gain  the  direction  of  the 
trade  passing  out  and  into  the  Irish  Channel.  In  thid 
position  he  made  three  captures ;  but  finding  that  the 
ene  ay  had  a  superiour  force  near  this,  he  made  a  circuit 
roond  Ireland,  and  then  steered  for  the  banks  of  New- 
loundland,  where  he  made  two  captures.  On  the  23d  of 
September  he  captured,  in  a  singular  manner,  the  British 
schooner  Highflyer,  tender  to  admiral  Warren ;  on  her 
approach  to  the  President  she  hoisted  a  private  signal, 
which  was  accidentally  answered  by  one  that  proved  to 
kthe  British  signal  for  that  day;  she  accordingly  bore 
aown  and  was  captured.  By  this  means  the  l^ritish 
private  signals,  and  admiral  Warren's  private  instruc- 
tions, were  obtained,  and  which  enabled  the  commodore 
to  avoid  their  squadrons  on  the  coast.  He  soon  after  ar- 
rived at  Newport. 

The  Congress,  after  parting  from  the  Prendent,  con- 
tinued her  cruize  until  the  l£th  of  December,  when  she 
arrived  at  Portsmouth,  N.  H.  She  had  cruized  chiefly 
on  the  coast  of  South  America,  and  had  captured  a  num- 
ber of  the  enemy's  vessels,  amongst  others  two  armed 
brigs  of  ten  guns  each. 

ft  has  already  been  said,  that  the  character  of  our  flag 
at  sea,  was  not  merely  supported  by  our  national  ves- 
sels: there  we>'n  numerous  instances  in  which  our  pri- 
vate cruisers  acquitted  themselves  in  a  manner  to  gra- 
tify the  pride  of  any  people.  But  the  publick  attention 
was  so  much  occupied  with  the  flrst,  that  the  latter  per- 
haps has  not  received  a  due  share  of  applause.  A  few 
instances  may  be  selected  from  amongst  a  number.  Per- 
haps no  action  during  the  war  displayed  more  daring 
courage,  and  wonderful  superiority  of  seamanship,  than 
the  engagement  of  the  Comat,  captain  Boyle,  with  a 
Portuguese  brig,  and  three  ai-med  merchantmen.  After 
engaging  them  all  four,  and  fighting  them  several  hours, 
he  compelled  one  of  the  merchantmen  to  surrender,  and 
the  brig  to  sheer  off,  although  double  the  force  of  the  Co- 
met. Phis  would  appear  almost  incredible,  if  the  de» 
tails  were  not  perfectly  satisfactory. 


I '8 


iriSTORY  OF  THE  WAR. 


On  the  eleventh  of  March,  the  Geneml  Armstrong,  olT 
tBurrinam,  discovered  a  sail  which  she  supposed  to  be  a 
letter  of  marque,  and  after  giving  her  a  broadside,  and 
wearing  to  give  another,  to  their  surprise  they  founi 
they  Were  along  side  of  a  frigate,  which  soon  opened 
8Hcn  a  heavy  fire,  as  would  have  sunk  the  schooner,  had 
she  hot  succeeded  in  making  her  escape. 

©n  the  fifteenth  of  August,  the  privateer  Decatur,  be- 
ing on  a  cruise,  discovered  a  ship  and  a  schooner ;  tl\e 
first  proved  to  be  the  British  packet,  the  Princess  Char- 
lotte, the  other  the  British  vessel  of  war,  the  Dominica. 
She  immediately  stood  towards  them,  and  soon  found 
herself  abreast  of  the  schooner.  Both  vessels  continued 
to  manceuvre  for  two  or  three  hours,  the  Dominica  en- 
deavouring to  escape,  and  the  Decatur  to  board  ;  during 
which  time  several  broadsides  were  fired  by  the  former, 
and  some  shot  from  the  large  gun  of  the  latter.  The 
Decatur  at  last  succeeded  in  boarding,  s  number  of  her 
men  passing  by  means  of  her  bowsprit  into  the  stern  of 
the  otiier.  The  fire  from  the  artillery  and  musquetry  was 
now  terrible^  being  well  supported  on  both  sides.  The 
Donninica  not  being  able  to  dif -engage  herself,  dropped 
along  side  of  the  Decatur,  and  was  thus  boarded  by  her 
whole  crew.  Fire-arms  now  became  useless,  and  the 
CLciws  fought  hand  to  hand,  with  cutlasses  and  cold  shot. 
The  officers  of  the  Dominica  being  all  killed  and  wound- 
ed, she  was  forced  to  surrender.  As  soon  as  the  com- 
bat was  over,  the  Princess  Charlotte  tacked  about,  and 
escaped; 

The  Decatur  was  armed  with  six  twelve-pound  car- 
ronades,  and  one  eighteen -pounder  on  a  pivot,  with  one 
hundred  and  three  men.  Her  loss  was  three  killed,  and 
ei^vteen  wounded.  The  Dominica  had  twelve  twelve- 
ppH^l  carj'naues,  two  long  sixes,  and  one  brass  four- 
poundrr,  ujmI  one  thirty-two  pound  carronade  on  a  pi- 
vot,  "svitii  eigii^y-three  men.  She  had  thnteen  killed, 
and  foi  ty  s-  ven  wounded.     The  surviving  officers  of  the 


Do?ninic..  attnLutcd  the  loss  of  their  vessel  to  the  su- 
periour  skill  ot  the  Decatur's  crew  in  the  use  of  musketry, 
acd  the  mrv^terly  manieuvring  of  that  vessel,  by  which 


$ 


HISTORY  OF  THE  WAR. 


179 


their  carriage  guns  were  rendered  useless.  The  captain 
had  been  a  young  man  of  about  twenty-five  years  of  age ; 
he  was  wounded  early  in  the  action  ;  but  he  fought  to  the 
last  moment,  declaring  that  he  would  only  surrender  his 
v(>9£iel  with  his  life. 

The  Decatur  arrived  at  Charlestown  with  her  prize,  on 
the  twentieth  of  August.    It  is  pleasins  to  record,  that 

this  instance  our  brave  tars  did  not  depart  from  their 


in 


accustomed  generosity.  The  surviving  officers  of  the 
Dominica  spoke  in  the  highest  terms  of  the  humanity  and 
Attention  which  they  experienced  from  the  viotoi'S. 


CHAPTER  X. 


Jlffairs  of  the  West — Patriotick  conduct  of  Ohio  and 
Kentucky — Defence  of  Sandusky — Generosity  of  the 
Americans — JVaval  preparations  on  Lake  Erie — Com- 
modore  Fei^y  sails  with  his  Fleet — Capture  of  the  ewe- 
my's  Squadron — Battle  of  the  Thames^  and  death  of  Te- 
cumseh — Correspondence  between  General  Harrison  and 
General  Vincent* 

I^f  the  midst  of  the  various  occurrences  of  the  war,  on 
the  northern  frontier,  on  the  sea-board,  and  on  the  ocean, 
important  preparations  were  making  to  the  westward  ; 
and  aithougli  the  spring  and  summer  had  passed  away, 
without  any  incident  in  this  quarter  worthy  of  being  rer 
corded,  they  had  not  passed  inactive.  The  general  at- 
tention was  now  turned  towards  it  with  much  ftnxiet}^, 
and  tlie  armies  of  the  Niagara  and  St.  Lawrence,  re- 
mained almost  with  folded  arms,  awaiting  the  issue  of 
Harrison's  campaign,  and  the  result  of  the  contest  for 
the  mastership  of  Lake  Erie.    The  British,  aware  of  the 


*«f 


180 


HISTORY  OF  THE  WAR. 


4>. 


consequence  of  a  defeat,  had  with  great  assiduity  labour* 
ed  to  strengthen  themselves.  The  reinforcements  conti- 
nually  arriving  at  Fort  George,  were  evidently  destined 
to  follow  up  the  advantages  which  Proctor  might  gain,  in 
conjunction  with  the  commander  on  the  lake.  In  the 
meanwhile,  in  the  neighbouring  states  of  Kentucky  and 
Ohio,  the  people  were  excited  in  a  most  surprising  de- 
gree; had  it  been  necessary  tliey  would  have  risen  en 
masse  ;  almost  every  man  capable  of  bearing  a  musket, 
was  anxious  to  march.  The  governour  of  Ohio  had 
scarcely  issued  his  proclamation,  calling  on  volunteers, 
(for  the  obligations  of  law  to  render  military  service  were 
no  longer  thought  of,)  than  fifteen  thousand  men  present- 
ed themselves,  completely  armed  and  equipped — more 
than  five  times  the  number  required.  The  venerable 
governour  of  Kentucky,  Shelby,  a  revolutionary  liero, 
and  the  Nestor  of  the  present  war,  made  it  known  that 
he  would  put  himself  at  the  head  of  the  injured  citizens 
of  that  state,  and  lead  them  to  seek  revenue  for  the  mur> 
der  of  their  relatives  and  friends ;  but  limited  the  numberof 
volunteers  to  four  thousand.  The  state  of  Kentucky,  cal- 
led by  the  natives,  "the  dark  and  bloody  ground,"  forty 
years  ago  was  a  dark  uninhabited  forest,  possessed  by  no 
trib<i  of  Indians  ;  but  from  time  immemorial  had  been  the 
the'xtre  of  sanguinary  wars.  At  this  day,  it  blooms  be* 
nea^i  the  hand  of  agriculture,  it  is  filled  with  beautiful 
towns  and  villages,  and  is  the  abode  of  peace,  opulence 
and  refinement.  The  inhabitants  are  descended  from 
many  of  the  best  families  of  Virginia  and  North -Carolina, 
and  the  enterprising  and  intelligent  of  the  other  states. 
Living  in  abundance  and  at  their  ease,  and  more  remote 
from  the  seats  of  commerce,  they  have  imbibed  less  of 
foreign  attachments  or  feelings,  than  any  of  our  people ; 
and  are  perhaps  more  enthusiastically  devoted  to  the 
institutions  of  freedom.  Together  with  an  enlightened 
Biilnlklli'^  of  mind,  they  unite  a  rotnantick  cast  of  cha- 
racter, derived  from  the  independence  of  their  situation, 
and  not  vitiated  by  too  close  an  intercourse  with  the 
sordid  world.  They  have  not  a  little  of  the  manners  of 
chivalry  in  their  generous  and  hospitable  deportment* 


lUSTORY  OP  THE  WAR. 


'V 


gam,  in 
In  the 
cky  and 
ising  de« 
risen  en 
musket, 
!)hio  had 
dunteers, 
i'ice  were 
I  present- 
id — more 
venerable 
ary  !iero, 
lown  that 
d  citizens 
:  the  mur* 
number  of 
icky,  cal- 
d,"  forty 
sed  by  no 
been  the 
ooms  be- 
autiful 
opulence 
ed  from 
■Carolina, 
ler  states. 
re  remote 
ed  less  of 
people ; 
ed  to  the 
ilightened 
,st  of  cha* 
situation, 
with  the 
lanners  of 
portmenti 


fearless  of  danger,  lei^arding  dishonour  more  than  death 
but  with  these  qualities,  a  benevolence  and  humanitj* 
which  has  scarcely  a  parallel.  Had  the  elder  brethren  of 
our  confederacy  acted  like  this  youn^r  member,  the  Ca- 
nadas  would  have  been  ours,  and  Britain,  would  never  have 
dared  to  insult  us  with  her  unwarrantable  pretentions. 

The  transactions  which  are  now  to  be  related,  may 
justly  rank  amongst  the  most  ^leasing  to  our  feelings  and 
national  pride,  of  any  which  ttvok  place  during  the  contest. 
The  campaign  opened  with  an  anair,  which  though  com-' 
paratively  of  smaller  consequence  than  some  others,  iti 
I  in  its  circumstances  one  of  the  most  brilliant  thatoccur- 
[red  during  the  war.    This  was  the  unparallelled  defence 
[of  Fort  Sandusky,  by  a  youth  of  twenty-one  years  of  age. 
itn  August,  and  before  the  arrival  of  the  Ohio  and  Ken- 
Itacky  volunteers,  which  did  not  take  place  until  the  fol- 
lowing month,  threatening  movements  had  been  made 
ion  all  the  different  forts,  established  by  the  Americans 
[the  rivers  which  fall  into  Lake  Krie.     After  the  si^ 
Fort  Meigs,  the  British  bad  been  considerably  Pbin*' 
reed  by  regulars,  and  an  unusual  number  of  Indians 
nder  their  great  leader  Tecumseh.     It  was  all  impor- 
int  to  reduce  these  forts  before  the  arrival  of  the  volun- 
eers.    Mi^or  Croghan,  then  commanding  at  Upper  San- 
Bsky,  having  received  intimation  that  the  enemy  were 
mi  to  invest  the  fort  of  Lower  Sandusky,  had  marched 
|»thig  place  with  some  additional  force,  and  been  occu- 
Red  with  great  assiduity  iu  placing  it  in  the  best  pos- 
ire  of  derence.     But    the    only    addition  of  ^mpor- 
iBce,  which  the  time  would  allow  him  tis  makey    was  a 
)itch  of  six  feet  deep  and  nine  feet  wide,  outside  the 
ckade  of  pickets,  by  which  these  hastily  constructed 
brts  are  enclosed,  but  which  can  afford  but  a  weak  de- 
bnce  against  ar  til  ler  7.     He  had  but  one  six  poui 
nd  about  one  hundred  and  sixty  men,  consisting 
ulars,  and  detachments  of  the  Pittsburgh  an<^ 
urgh  volunteers.    General  Harrison,  uoTconcei 
lacticable  to  defend  the  place,  ordered  yioug  C!ro|^ 
etire  on  the  approach  of  the  enemy,  after  having^d^^ 

16 


182 


HISTORY  OF   THE  WAR. 


ed  the  works.    This  our  young  hero,  taking  the  respon. 
sibility  upon  himself,  determined  to  disohej. 

On  tl»€  first  of  August,  general  Proctor,  having  left  a 
large  body  of  Indians  under  Tecumseb,  to  keep  up  tlie 
appearance  of  a  siege  of  Fort  Meigs,  arrived  at  Sandusb 
with  about  five  hundred  regulars,  seven  hundred  Indians 
and  some  gun  boats.  After  the  gt  neral  had  m^de  such  dis- 
positions of  his  troops  as  to  cut  off  tlie  retreat  of  the  gar- 
risou,  he  sent  a  flag  by  colonel  Elliot  and  maior  Cham. 
bers,  demanding  a  surrender,  accompained  with  the  usual 
base  and  detestable  threats,  of  butchery  and  cold  blood 
massacre,  if  the  garrison  should  hold  out.  A  spirited 
answer  was  returned  by  Croghan,  who  found  that  all  his 
companions,  chiefly  striplings  like  himself,  would  sup* 
port  him  to  the  last.  i 

When  the  flag  returned,  a  brisk  fire  was  opened  from 
the  gun  boats  and  a  howitzer,  and  which  was  kept  updurJ 
ing  the  nieht.     In  the  morning,  they  o[)ened  with  tlirecj 
sixes,  which  had  been  planted  under  the  cover  of  the  night] 
within  two  hundred  and  fifty  yards  of  the  pickets,  but  not! 
with  much  effect.     About  foui  o'clock  in  the  afternoon,  it 
was  discovered  that  the  enemy  had  concentrated  his  fii-e 
against  the  north-west  angle,  with  the  intention  uf  niak«| 
ing  a  breach.     This  part  was  imniediately  strengthened] 
by  the  apposition  of  bags  of  flour  and  sand,  so  that  the] 
pickets  suffered  but  little  injury,    During  this  time,  the  six] 
pounder  was  carefully  concealed  in  the  bastion  which  co.| 
vered  the  point  to  be  assailed,  and  it  was  loaded  with] 
slugs  and  grape.     About  five  hundred  of  the  enemy  now 
advanced  in  close  column   to  assail  the  part  where  it  wag] 
supposed  the  pickets  must  have  been  injured  :  at  the  same] 
time  making  several  feints,  to  draw  the  attention  of  the] 
besieged  to  other  parts  of  the  fort :  their  force  being  thus] 
*mded,  a  column  of  three  hundred  and  fifty  men,  which] 
re  r^o  envelopv.d  in  smoke   as  not  to  be  seen  until  thej] 
:hed   wit«..n  twenty  paces  of  the  linesr  'advanced 
to  the  assault.  A  fire  of  musquetry  from  the  fort, 
Soinent  Ujrew  tiiem  into  confusion  j  but  were  thus] 
ly  rallied  by  colonel   Short,  their  commander,  whoj 
now  springing  over  the  outer  works  intothe  c^'tch,  coia-r 


HISTORY  OF  THE  WAR. 


I8d 


manded  the  rest  to  foHow,  crying  out,  "give  the  d — d 
Yankees  no  quarter!*'  Scarcely  had  these  detestable 
wonls  escaped  his  lips,  and  the  greater  part  of  his  follow- 
ers lauded  in  the  ditch,  when  the  six  pounder  opened  up- 
on them  a  most  destructive  fire,  killing  and  wounding  the 
greater  part,  and  ainonost  the  first  the  wretched  leader, 
u-ho  was  sent  into  eternity  before  his  words  had  died  up- 
on the  air.  A  volley  of  musketry  was,  at  the  same  time, 
fired  upon  those  who  had  not  ventured.  The  officer  who 
succeeded  Short,  exasperated  at  being  thus  treated  by  a 
few  boys,  formed  his  bniken  column,  and  again  rushed 
to  the  ditch,  where  he,  and  those  who  dared  to  follow 
him,  met  with  the  same  fate  as  their  fellow  soldiers. 
The  small  arms  wer'*-  again  played  on  them,  the  whole 
British  force  was  thrown  into  confusion,  and  in  spite  of 
the  exertions  of  their  (ifficers,  fled  to  the  woods,  almost 
panick  struck,  whither  they  were  soon  followed  by  the 
Indians.  Thus  were  these  men,  confident  of  success 
and  detestable  in  the  intended  use  of  victory,  most  sig- 
nally chastised,  under  providence,  by  a  force  scarce  a 
tenth  of  their  numbers,  Terrour  indescribable  took  pos- 
session of  the  assailants,  and  they  retreated  towards 
their  boats,  scarcely  daring  to  cast  their  eyes  towards  the 
fatal  spot,  while  they  were  followed  by  their  allies  in  sul- 
len silence. 

If  this  gallant  defence  deserves  the  applause  of  the 
brave,  the  subsequent  conduct  of  the  besieged  deserves 
the  praise  of  every  friend  of  humanity.  The  scene  which 
now  ensued  deserves  to  be  denominated  sublime.  The 
iitllc  band,  forgetting  in  a  moment  that  they  had  been 
assailed  by  merciless  foes,  who  sought  to  massacre  them 
witltout  regarding  the  laws  of  honourable  war,  now  felt 
only  the  desire  of  relieving  wounded  men,  and  of  admi- 
nistering comfort  to  the  wretched.  Had  they  been  friends, 
had  they  been  brothers,  they  could  not  have  experienced 
a  more  tender  solicitude.  The  whole  night  was  occupied 
in  endeavouring  to  assuage  their  sufferings ;  provisions 
and  buckets  of  water,  were  handed  over  the  pickets,  and 
an  opening  was  made,  by  which  many  of  the  suflferers 
were  taken  in,  who  were  immediately  supplied  with  sur- 


IMAGE  EVALUATION 
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114 


HtSTORY  or  THE  WAR. 


^cai  aid  j  and  this,  although  a  firing  was  kept  up  with 
small  arms  by  the  euemj,  until  some  time  in  the  ni^t 
The  loss  of  the  garrison  amounted^  to  one  killed  and 
•evien  wounded  $  uiat  of  the  enenrjr,  it  is  supposed,  to  at 
least  two  hundred.  Upwards  of  fifty  were  found  in  and 
Ikbout  the  ditch.  It  was  discovered  next  morning,  that 
the  enemy  had  hastily  retreated,  leaving  a  boat  and  aeon- 
siderable  quantity  of  military  stores.  Upwards  of  seven* 
fy^  stand  of  arms  were  tidien,  besides  a  quantity  of  ammO' 
nition.  Hie  Americans  were  engaged  during  the  day, 
in  burying  the  dead  with  the  honours  of  war,  and  provid* 
ing  for  the  wounded. 

This  exploit  called  forth  the  admiration  of  every  party 
in  the  United  States :  Croghan,  t<^ether  with  his  compa* 
nions,  captain  Hunter,  and  lieutenants  Johnson,  Bajlej, 
and  Meeks,'  of  the  17th  ;  Anthony,  of  the  24th ;  and  en* 
signs  Ship  and  Duncan  of  the  17th,  together  with  the  other 
officers  and  volunteers,  were  highly  complimented  by  the 
general.  They  afterwards-  received  the  thanks  of  cou' 
gross.  Croghan  was  promoted  to  the  rank  of  lieutenant 
colonel,  and  was  presented  with  an  elegant  sword  bj 
the  ladies  of  Chilicothe. 

Soon  after  this  affair  Tecumseh  raised  the  si^  of  Fort 
Meigs,  and  followed  Proctor  to  Detroit  $  all  nope  wai 
given  up  by  the  e|iemy  of  reducing  Ihese  forts,  until  they 
fiould  gain  the  ascendancy  on  the  lake. 

The  utmost  exertions  had  been  made  in  the  mcr'.nwhilet 
by  captain  Perry,  to  complete  the  naval  armament  ra 
Lake  Erie.  By  the  fourth  of  August,  the  fleet  was  com* 
pleted ;  but  several  of  the  vessels  were  with  difficulty 
got  over  the  bar,  on  which  there  are  but  five  feet  water. 
fie  sailed  in  quest  of  iSe  enemy,  but  not  meeting  him, 
returned  on  the  eighth,  4nd  after  receiving  a  reinforce- 
ment of  sailors,  brought  by  captain  Elliot,  sailed  again 
0n  the  twelfth,  and  on  the  fifteenth  anchored  in  the  bay  of 
Sandusky.  Mere,  after  taking  in  about  twenty  voiun* 
teer  manneS)  he  again  went  in  quest  of  the  enemy ;  and 
^Ur  cruising  off  Maiden,  returned  to  Put-in -BaT)  a 
distance  of  thirty  miles.  His  fleet  consisted  of  the  brie 
lAwcettfie,  of  SO  guns  I  the  Niagara,  captAii^  Elliott,  of 

.    '  ■  i 


HISTORY  OF  THE  WAIL 


1^ 


fO;  the  Caledonian,  lieutenant  Turner,  S;  the  schoo- 
ner Ariel,  of  4  ;  the  Scorpioa,  of  2 ;  the  Somers,  of  2,  and 
{swivels;  the  sloop  Trippe,  and  schooners  Tigress  and 
Porcupine,  of  I  gun  each ;  making  a  fleet  of  nine  vesseU 
tod  54  guns.    On  the  morning  of  the  tenth  of  Septem- 
ber,  the  enemy  was  discovered  bearing  down  upon  tlie 
American  squadron,  which  immediately  ^t  under  weigh, . 
and  stood  out  to  meet  him.  The  superiority  was  decidra-  - 
Ijin  favour  of  the  British;  the  Americans  had  three 
more  vessels,  but  this  was  much  more  than  counterbal- 
anced by  the  size  of  those  of  the  enemy,  and  the  number 
of  their  guns.    Their  fleet  consisted  of  the  Detroit,  cap- 
tain Barclay,  of  19  guns,  and  3  howitzers  ;. the  Queen 
Charlotte,  of  17  guns,  captain  Finnis ;  the  schooner  Liidy 
Prevost,  lieutenant  Buchan,  of  13  guns ;  and  2  howitzers  j . 
th?  brig  Hunter,  of  10  guns;  the  sloop  Little  Belt,  of  3;. 
and  the  schooner  Chippewa, .of  1  gun  and  two  swivels  $ , 
in  all  six  vessels.and  sixty -three  guns.. 

When  the  Americans  stood  out,  the  Brithih  fleet  had ' 
the  weathergu»ge ;  but  the  wind  soon  after  changed,  and 
brought  the  American  fleet 'to  windward.     The  line  of 
battle  was  formed  at  eleven,  and  at  fifteen  minutes  be- 
fore twelve,  the  enemy's  flag  ship,  the  Queen  Charlotte* 
opened  her  fire  upon  the  Lawrence^  which  she  sustained' 
for  ten  minutes,  before  she  could  apiK)ach  near  enough ; 
for  her  carronades  to  return.      She  therefore  bore  up,, 
making  signals  for  the  other  vessels  to  hasten  to  her  sup^ 
port,  and  about  twelve,  brought  her  guns  to  bear  upon 
the  enemy.     Unfortunately,  the  wind  being  too  H^^ht,  the 
remaindei*  of  the  squadron  could  not  be  broujQ;ht  up  to  her 
issistance,  and  she  was  compelled  to  contend,  for  two 
hoars,  with  twoships  of  equal  force.  The  contest  was,  not* 
withstanding,  kept  up  with  unshaken  courage,  and  a  degree 
of  coolness  which  deserves  the  highest  admiration.     By. 
this  time  the  brig,  which  had  so  lon^  borne  the  bnmt  of 
the  whole  of  the  British  force,  had  become  entirely  un- 
laanageahle  ;  every  gun  was  dismounted,  and,  with  t^e 
eiception  of  four  or  uve,  her  whole  crew  either  killed  or 
wounded.    Perry  now,  with  admirable  presence  of  mindi^, 
aad  which  drew  forth  the  praise  of  the  gallant  officer  t0  > 

16* 


186 


HISTORY  OP  THE  WAR. 


whom  he  was  opposed,  resolved  to  shift  his  flag,  leaped 
into  his  boat,  and  heroically  wavini;  his  sword,  passed 
irnhurt  to  the  Niagara.  At  the  moment  he  reached  the 
^iai^ara,  he  saw  with  anguish  the  flag  of  his  ship  come 
■down  ;  she  was  utterly  unable  to  make  further  resistance, 
and  it  would  have  been  a  wanton  waste  of  t!)e  remain- 
ing lives,  to  continue  tlid  cctntest;  the  enemy  was  not 
jibTSto  take  possession  of  her.  Captain  £lliot,  second- 
ing the  design  of  the  commodore,  volunteered  to  bring 
up  the  rest  of  the  fleet;  for  at  this  critical  moment  the 
Vfind  had  providentially  increased.  Perry  now  bore 
down  upon  the  enemy  with  a  fresh  ship ;  and  passini; 
ahead  of  the  Detroit,  Queen  Charlotte,  and  Lady  Prevost, 
poured  a  destructive  broadside  into  each  from  his  star- 
board)  and  froiii  his  larboard  into  the  Chippewa  and  Little 
Belt.  la  this  manner  cutting  through  tne  line,  he  was 
within  pistol  shot  of  the  Lady  Frevost,  which  .  received 
so  heavy  a  fire  as  to  compel  her  men  to  run  below.  At 
this  moment  the  Caledonia  came  up,  and  opened  her  fire } 
several  others  of  the  squadron  were  enabled  soon  after  to 
do  the  same.  For  a  time,  this  novel  and  important  com- 
bat mingled  with  indescribable  violence  and  fury.  The 
issue  of  a  campaign,  the  mastery  of  a  sea,  the  glory  and 
renown  of  tivo  rival  nations,  matched  for  the  first  time  in 
squadron,  were  the  incentives  to  the  contest.  But  it  wai 
not  long  before  the  scale  turned  in  favour  of  Perry,  and  his 
•hip,  the  Lawrence,  was  a^ain  enabled  to  hoist  her  flag. 
The  Queen  Charlotte,  having  lost  her  captain  and  all 
the  principal  officers,  by  some  mischance  ran  foul  of  tlie 
Detroit,  and  the  greater  part  of  the  guns  of  both  siiipi 
were  rendered  useless.  They  were  now  compelled  to 
austain,''in  turn,  an  incessant  fire  from  the  Niagara,  and 
the  other  vessels  of  the  squadron.  Tite  fla^  of  captain 
Barclay  was  soon  after  struck,  and  those  ot  the  Queen 
Charlotte,  the  Lady  Prevost,  the  Hunter,  and  the  Chippe- 
wa, came  down  in  succession  :  the  Little  Belt  attempted  j 
to  escape,  but  was  pursued  by  two  gun-bgats  and  cap< 
lured.  4 

,    Thus,  after  a  contest  of  three  hours,  was  this  unparal- 
leled naval  victory  achieved,  in  which  every  vessel  of  I 
ihe  enemy  was  captured  $  the  first  occurrence  of  the  kifid 


||ityy^gB^W^I|i^wpw»yf»y>iww;)i.».  'n-,i'^.'»yjljWj..j|iiJt,,By.i|8.'''  ■j.'l"? 


X 


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%<■  ^ 


f  |ipp  »mkv'*f  g?w. 'ji  ?  j'y ,  I 


ik'.i,Jiii>w*i 


HIS 


vM. 


.'i-.v 


every  recorded. 
0U8  victory,  it  wi 
which  it  wa«)  ann 

he,  WE   HAVE    M 

Britain  had  bee 

now  beaten  in  sq 

invincible.     The 

in  proportian-to  t 

haa  t\venty-sev< 

imongstthe  first, 

tnd  midshipman 

tenant  Yarnel),  s 

and  midshipmen 

tiie  British  was  a 

I  ed,  and  the  nuai 

dred,  exceeding 

I  Commodore  Bar 

arm  at  the  battl 

and  the  loss  of  c 

unusually  great. 

I  of  on  this  occasio 

jner,  Edwards,  ] 

[those  already  mc 

Never  was  any 

I  monstrations  of  j 

ment  forgotten,  f 

bjr  illuminations  i 

I  sent  to  the  other 

It  is  highly  gr 

I  the  British  prison 

Captain  Barclay 

More  Pecry  towar 

|ficient,  of  itself, 

We  were  nov 

I  vas  still  in  the  | 

ment  would  be  a^ 

and  at  Maiden. 

of  the  Ohio  milil 

tlie  seventh  four  1 

itate,  with  their 

hero  of  king's  m( 


HrSTOKY  OF  THE  WAR. 


\9r 


every  recorded.  If  any  thing  could  heighten  tliis  glori- 
ous victory^  it  was  the  mbdest  yet  subj line  manner  ia 
which  it  was  announced  by  the  incomparalilc  Perry;  said 

be,  WE  HAVE  MET  THE  ENEMY,  AND  THEY  ARE  OUUS. 

Britain  had  been  beaten  in  single  combat  ;  she  was 
no\^  beaten  in  squadron,  where  she  had  conceived  herselt 
invincible.  The  loss  in  this  bloody  aftair,  was  very  ^reai 
in  proportion'to  the  numbers  engaged.  The  Americans 
had  twenty-seven  killed,  and  ninety-siK  wounded; 
amongst  the  first,  were  lieutenant  Brooks,  of  the  marincS} 
and  midshipman  Laub ;  amongst  the  latter,  were  lieu* 
tenant  Yarneli,  sailing  master  Taylor,  purser  Hamilton, 
and  midshipmen  Claxton  and  Swartwout.    The  loss  of 

I  tlie  British  was  about  two  hundred  in  killed  and  wound- 

I  ed,  and  the  number  of  prisoner^  amounted  to  six  hun- 
dred, exceeding  the  whole  number  of  the  Americans. 
Commodore  Barclay,  a  gallant  officer,  who  had  lost  an 
arm  at  the  battle  of  Trafalgar,  was  severely  wounded, 
and  the  loss  of  oliicerF,  .on  the  side  of  the  British,  was 
unusually  great.     Aniong  the  officers  particularly  spoken 

I  of  on  this  occasion,  were  captain  Elliot,  lieutenants  Tur- 

jner,  Edwards,  Forest,  Ciark,   and  Cummings,  besides 

I  those  already  mentioned. 
Never  was  unv  event  received  with  such  unbounded  de- 

Imonstrations  of  joy.  All  party  feelings  were  for  a  mo- 
ment forgotten,  and  this  glorious  occurrence  celebrated 

Uy  illuminations  and  festivals,  from  one  end  of  the  conti- 

1  sent  to  the  other. 
It  is  highly  gratifying  to  know,  that  the  treatment  of 

I  the  British  prisoners  was  such,  as  to  call  forth  their  thanks. 
Captain  Barclay  declared,  that  "the  conduct  of  commo* 

hlore  Pecry  towards  the  captive  officers  and  men,  was  suf« 

jficient,  of  itself,  to  immortalize  him." 
We  were  now  masters  of  the  lake ;  but  our  territory 

jvasstillin  the  possession  of  Proctor.  The  next  move- 
ment would  be  against  the  British  and  Indians  at  Detroit, 
and  at  Maiden.  General  Harrison  called  on  a  portion 
of  the  Ohio  militia,  which  had  been  embodied;  and  on 
tlie  seventh  four  thousand  Kentuckians,  the  flower  of  Clie 
itate,  with  their  venerable  governour,  Isaac  Shelby,  the 
hero  of  king's  mountaini  at  their  ii^ad)  arrived  at  Har» 


188 


HISTORY  OP  THE  WAR. 


rison's  camp.    With  the  co-operation  of  the  fleet,  it\i>ag 
determined  to  proceed  at  once  to  Maiden:   and  at  the 
same  moment,  colonel  Johnson  was  ordered  to  proceed 
with  a  body  of  Kentuckians  to  Detroit.    These  accor* 
dinglj  marched  I  but  on  approaching  the  River  Raisin, 
whe-i  e  those  scenes  of  horrour  had  been  acted,  they  halt* 
ed  sometime  to  contemplate  the  tragick  snot.    The  feel- 1 
ingSt  which  they  experienced  on  this  occasion,  cannot  be 
described ;  many  of  tiiem  had  lost  their  friends  and  relu.  I 
tions,  whot^e  bones  they  now  gathered  up,  after  in  vain  i 
attempting  to  distinguish  them  ;  and  therefore  consigned 
V\em  to  a  common  grave,  with  the  most  affecting  demon<  I 
sti'ations  of  grief. 

On  the  twenty-seventh,  the  troops  were  received  on  | 
board,  and  on  the  same  day  reachecl  a  point  below  Mai*  i 
den.    The  British  general  iiad  in  the  meivnwhile  destroy- 
ed the  fort  and  pubiick  stores,  and  had  retreated  along 
the  Thames,  towards  the  Moravian  villages,    to^^etherj 
with  Tecumseh's  Indians.'  A  number  of  females  caate 
out  to  implore  the  protection  of  the  American  general,  as 
though  it  had  been  necessary  :  general  Harrison  had  given 
orders  that  even  Proctor,  if  taken,  should  not  be  hurt; 
nay,  the  dwelling  of  the  obnoxious  Elli(»t  was  ;u»t  even ' 
touched  by  the  magnanimous  Kentuckianp,  who  lad  beec 
represented  by  Proctor  as  savages. 

It  was  now  resolved  by  Harrison  and  Shelby,  to  pro- 
ceed immediately  in  pursuit  of  Proctor.    On  the  second  j 
of  October,  they  marched  with  about  three  thousand  0ve 
hundred  men,  selected  for  the  purpose,  consisting  of  co- 
lonel Ball's  dragoons,  colonel  Johnson's  regiment,  and 
other  detachments  of  governour   Shelby's   volunteers. 
The  heroick  Perry  accompanied  general  Harrison,  as  a  I 
volunteer  rid.    Ihey  moved  witti  such  rapidity,  that 
they  encamped  tiie  nrst  day  at  the  distance  of  twenty- 
six-miles.     The  next  day   they  captured  a  guard,  o^ 
whom  the^  learned  that  Proctor  was  not  aware  of  their 
approach,  but  had  sent  to  destroy  the  bridges.    On  the 
fourth,  the^  were  detained  some*  time  by  a  deep  creek, 
the  bridge  OTiT  which  had  been  partly  destroyed  $  and  | 
«  aumber  j|jf  ln(]!iaiw  commenced  an  attack  from  the  oppo* 


mSTORT  OF  THE  IVAR. 


m 


rrison,  as  a  i 


lite  bankj  but  wek'e  dispersed  bj  colonel  Johnson,  and  th« 

irtillery  of  mi^or  Wood,  while  the  bridge  was  repaired 

On  the  otlier  side,  thej  captured  two  thovsand  stand 

«fanns;  the  bouses  containing   the  enemy's  publick 

itiffes,  tf^ther  with  several  vessels,  were  on  fire.    On 

the  fifth,  ^e  pursuit  was  renewed,  when,  after  capturinr 

lome  properij  to  a  considerable  amount,  they  reached 

the  place  where  the  enemy  had  encamped  the  night  be> 

(«t.    ColMiel  JohnsMi  was  sent  forwards  to  reconnoiT 

tre  the  British  and  Indian  forces;  and  he  very  soon  re- 

torDed  with  information,  that  they  had  made  a  stand  a 

\  few  miles  distant,  and  were  ready  for  action.  They  wer& 

drawn  up  across  a  narrow  strip  of  land,  covered  wit^ 

I  beach-trees,  and  hemmed  in  on  one  side  by  a  swamp,  and 

I DU  the  other  by  the  river ;  their  left  r.^eted  on  the  river, 

npported  by  their  artillery ;  and  their  right  consisted  «f 

(he  Indians  under  Tecuniseh,  who  occupied  the  morQ 

I  dense  forest  in  the  vicinity  of  the  morass. 

The  American  troops  were  now  formed  in  vrderof 
inttle.  General  Trotter's  brigade  formed  the  front  lin«» 
t:itb  general  Desha's  division  en  fwfenee  en  the  left.  Ge- 
ni  ^QK^  brigade  formed  a  second  line,  in  the  rear  of 
general  Trotter  J  and  Chile's,  as  a  corps  of  reserve  $  boO& 
under  the  command  of  major^eneral  Ilenry.  Eaclt*kri- 
ndeaverasec  500  men.  The  an^le  formed  by  DdMia'a 
brigade  and  Trotter's,  was  occupied  by  the  veneraMe 
Shelby.  The  regular  troops,  amounting  to  one  hundred 
•od  twenty  men,  were  formed  in  columns,  occupyinfr  a 
nairow  space  between  the  road  and  the  river,  for  tii« 
parpose  or  seizing  the  artillery,  should  the  enemy  be  re* 

Sised.    General  Harrison  h7,d  at  first  ordered  colonel 
...hnson's  mounted  men  to  form  iu  two  lint:a,  in  fi-ont  of 
ilfae  Indians ;  but  the  underwood  being  too  close  here  for 
cavalry  to  act  wiUi  any  effect,  he  deil3rmined  upon  a 
mode  of  atfcick  aitc^ther  new.    Knowing  the  dexterity 
iof  the  backwood's-men  in  riding  through  forests,  and  the 
little  inconvenience  to  them  oT  carrying  their  rifles  in 
(ttch  a  situation,  he  determined  to  refuse  his  left  to  the 
llndians  and  charge  on  the  regulars,  drawn  up  among  the 
beech-trees;  the   uouated  regiment    w&i   accordingly 


.190 


HISTORY  OF  THE  WAR. 


drawn  up  in  front.  The  army  moved  on  but  a  short  distance 
in  this  way,  when  the  mounted  men  received  theenemv'g 
fire,  and  were  instantly  ordered  to  cliarse.    The  horseg, 
in  front  of  the  column,  at  first  recoiled  trem  the  fire;  hut 
toon  after  got  in  motion,  and  immediately  at  full  speed  I 
broke  through  the  enemy  with  irresistible  rorce.    In  one 
minute  the  contest  was  over  in  front.    The  mounted  men  I 
instantly  formed  in  tiieir  rear,  and  poured  a  destructive 
fire,  and  were  about  to  make  another  chars;e,  when  the 
British  ofiicers,  finding  it  impossible  to  form  their  brokea  I 
ranks,  immediately  surrendered. 

Upon  the  left,  tiie  onset  was  begun  by  Tecumseh  with  I 
great  fury.  Colonel  R.  M.  Johnson,  who  commanded  un 
that  flank  of  his  regiment,  received  a  galling  fire,  which 
he  returned  with  eifect,  wiiile  the  Indians  advanced 
towards  the  point  occupied  by  governuur  Shelby,  and  at 
first  made  an  impression  on  it;  but  the  aged  warriour 
brought  a  re^ment  to  its  support.  The  combat  now  rased 
with  mcreasing  fury ;  the  Indians  to  the  number  of  twelve 
or  fiftegi  hundred,  seemed  determined  to  maintain  their 

S round  to  the  last.    The  terrible  voice  of  Tecumse'i  could  I 
Indistinctly  heard,  encouraging  his  warriours;  and  al* 
though  beset  on  every  side,  excepting  on  that  of  the  mo. 
ra&^s,  they  fought  with  more  determined  courage  than  had 
ever  been  witnessed  in  these  people.     An  incident  soon 
occurr^,  however,  which  decided  the  contest.    Colonel 
Johnson  rushed  towards  the  spot  where  the  warrionrg,| 
clustering  around  their  undaunted  chief,  ameared  resolv' 
ed  to  perisii  by  his  side  ;  in  a  moment  a  hundred  riflegj 
were  aimed  at  the  American,  whose  uniform  and  the 
white  horse  which  he  rode  rendered  a  conspicuoi'3  (loject; 
his  bolsters,  dress,  and  accoutrements  were  pierced  with  I 
bullets,  his  horse  and  himself  receiving    a  number  ofl 
wounds.    At  the  instant  his  horse  was  about  to  sink  un*] 
der  liini,  the  daring  Kentuckian,  covered  with  blood  froml 
his  wounds,  was  discovered  by  Tecumseh;  the  chief  iiav'j 
ing  discharged  his  rifle,  sprang  forward  with  his  toroa>| 
hawk,  but  struck  with  the  appearance  of  the  warriour  whol 
stood  before  him,  hesitated  for  a  moment,  and  that  mo- 
pent  was  his  last.    The  Kentuckian  levelled  a  pistol  atl 


Wi 

■-J' 

'li 

1 

.1 

1 

'^J 


a  short  distance  I 
veA  the  enemy'g 
J.     The  horses,  j 
am  the  fire;  but  i 
Iv  at  full  speed  I 
force.    In  one 
e  mounted  men 
A  a  destructive 
irgc,  when  the 
rm  their  broken 


''■**^%r-^    . 


!lSi>* 


?•/>■■* 


■y 


.<&  ^ 


0. 


w*- 


HISl 


■y?i 


m; 


liisbreatt,  and  tf 

to  tbc  ground.* 

itsciie  of  their  U 

g  the  voice  of 

\  spot  where  this  gi 

iewAf  ind  six  wh 

llms  feli  Teci 

Iriflarthatever  ra 

[him  fell  the  las) 

Inightj  wanrioiTr 

ma  had  for  jean 

tribjsin  opposinj 

westward.     Had 

aUtsun  theirfirst 

would  still  have  I 

fer  a  savage,  m 

ind  panthers,  an 

dty,  to  the  peac< 

the  comforts  of  c 

\ttffet  that  Tecu 

don  of  the  earth, 

jject  and  the  hun 

the  Creator,  it  mi 

diamuion  of  barbj 

I  period,  when  he  c 

UtD  head,   by  t 

strength.    But  1 

11  a  great  and  an 

twk  prisoners  in 

been  taken  by  ot 

Ituallyput  todea 

jfork  of  massacre 

|g|ent  with  the  wh 

Ibis  death,  he  scai 

IcttDiseh  had  rcce 

*  Oslonerjohnst 
l&irlbavead^ted  i 
|l)e<ili  denied  that  tb 
Immaeh.  trntilitsl 
IHflqrduly  to  relate 


HISTORY  OF  THE  WAR. 


191 


bisbreaitt  and  thev  both,  almost  at  the  same  instant,  fell 
to  the  ground.*  "fhe  Kentuckiana  rushed  forward  to  the 
,«8Ciie  of  their  leader,  and  the  Indians,  no  lonaer  hear- 
ing the  voice  of  Tecumseh,  soon  after  fled.  Near  the 
mot  where  this  scene  occured,  thirty  Indians  were  found 
drid,  and  six  whites. 

Thw  fell  Tecumseh,  the  most  celebrated  Indian  war- 
riaar  that  ever  raised  the  tomahawk  against  us,  and  with 
Um  fell  the^  last  hope  of  our  Indian  enemies.    This 
nighty  warrioUr  was  the  determined  foe  of  civilization, 
and  had  for  years  been  labouring  to  unite  all  the  Indian 
trib'»in  opposing  the  progress  of  the  settlements  to  the 
westwanl.     Had  such  a  man  opposed  the  Kuropeah  colo- 
Biitsun  theirfirst  arrival,  this  continent,  in  all  pfttbability, 
would  still  have  been  a  wilderness.    To  those  who  pre- 
fer a  savage,  uncultivated  waste,  inhabited  by  wolvea 
ud  panthers,  and  by  men  more  savage  still,  to  the  busy 
dty,  to  the  peaceful  hamlet  and  cottage,  to  science  and 
the  comforts  of  civilization,  to  such  it  may  be  a  source  of 
r«gret  that  Tecumseh  came*  tqo  late  c  but  if  the  cultiva* 
tion  of  the  earth,  and  the  cultivation  of  tlie  hnmah  intel- 
ject  and  the  human  virtues,  are  agreeable  in  the  sight  of 
the  Creator,  it  may  be  a  just  cause  of  felicitation  that  thhi 
champion  of  barbarTsm  was  the  ally  of  Great  Britiun,  at  a 
period,  when  he  could  only  draw  down  destruction  on  hiS' 
otD  head,   by  savagely  daring  what  was  beyond  hii 
strength.    But  Tecumseh  fell  respected  by  his  enemies^ 
tt  a  |;reat  and  a  magnanimous  chief.    Although  he  seldom 
t«^  prisoners  in  iulttle,  he  treated  well  those  that  hadl^ 
been  taken  by  others  ^  and,  at  thedefeat  of  Dudley,  ac»> 
tvally  put  to  death  a  chief  whom  he  found  engaged  m  the 
work  of  massacre.    He  had  been  in  almost  every  engage- 
nent  with  the  whites  since  Uarmer's  defeat,  althwi^  at 
Us  death,  he  scarely  exceeded  forty  years  of  aee.    Te- 
Cttinseh  had  received  the  stamp  of  greatness  from  the 

*  Colonel  Johnston  if  itUl  a  member  of  cottgress.    In  this  a^ 
l&ir  I  have  adapted  the  popular  story :  but  I  am  aware  that  it  hm 
Ibetii  dented  that  the  Indian  killed  by  colonel  Johnston  was  le- 
Immseh.    tTnttl  it  shall  be  formally  denied  by  kin),  I  ihall  Uub|u 
IKnydit^  torelate  thestoryas  lfiiu|it.  ^' 


192 


HISTORY  OP  THE  WAR, 


band  of  nature,  and  had  his  Ifot  been  cast  in  a  different 
state  of  society,  he  would  have  shone  as  one  of  the  most 
distinguished  of  men.  He  was  endowed  with  a  powerful 
mind,  with  the  soul  of  a  hero.  There  was  an  uncom* 
ifien  dignity  in  his  countenance  and  manners ;  by  tiie  fop' 
mer  he  could  be  easily  discoyered  even  after  death,  among 
the  rest  of  the  slain,  for  he  wore  no  insignia  of  distinc- 
tion. When  girded  with  a  silk  sash,  and  told  by  general 
Proctor  that  he  was  made  a  brigadier  in  the  British  seN 
vice,  for  his  conduct  at  Brownstown  and  Magagua,  he 
returned  tlie  present  with  respectful  contempt.  Born 
with  no  title  to  command,  but  his  native  greatness,  ever? 
tribe  yielded  submission  to  him  at  o^ce,  and  no  one  ever 
disputed  his  precedence.  Subtle  and  fierce  in  war,  he 
was  possessed  of  uncommon  eloquence^— his  speeches 
might  bear  a  comparison  with  those  of  tlie  most  celebrated 
orators  of  Greece  or  Uome.  His  invective  was  terrible, 
as  we  had  frequent  occasion  to  experience,  and  as  maybe 
seen  in  the  reproaches  whi^vh  he  applied  to  Proctur,  a 
few  days  before  his  death,  in  a  speech  which  was  found 
amongst  the  papers  of  the  British  officers.  His  form 
was  uncommonly  elegant ;  his  stature  about  six  feet,  his 
limbs  perfectly  proportioned.  He  was  honourably  inter- 
red  bj  the  victors,  oy  whom  he  was  held  :n  much  respect, 
as  an  inveterate,  but  a  magnanimous  enemy. 

In  this  engagement  the  British  loss  was  nineteen  re- 
gulars lulled,  and  ^fty  wounded,  and  about  six  hundred 
piisonera.  The  Indians  left  one  hundrei^  and  twenty  m 
the  field.  The  American  loss,  in  killed  and  wounded, 
amounted  to  upwards  of  fifty  $  seventeen  of  tiie  slain 
were  Kentuckians,  and  among  them,  colonel  Whitelj, 
a.  soldier  of  the  revolution,  who  served  on  tliis  occasion 
80  a  private.  Several  pieces  of  brass  cannon,  the  tro* 
|rf)ies  of  our  revolution,  surrendered  by  Hull,  were  once 
more  restored  to  our  country.  Proctor  had  fled  as  soon 
as  the  charge  was  made,  and  by  means  of  swift  horses, 
was  enabled  to  escape  down  the  Thames,  though  hotlj 
mirsued.  His  carriage  was,  however,  taken,  in  which 
his  private  papers  had  been  left,  in  the  haste  of  his  re^ 
iTMt 


/ 


HISTORY  OF  THE  WAR. 


193 


The  time  was  now  come,  which  would  prove  whether 
the  stigma  cast  upon  the  chivalrous  people  of  Ken- 
tucky by  the  infamous  Proctor*  in  order  to  hide  his  atro- 
city, was  founded  in  truth.  It  was  now  seen  whether* 
to  use  the  words  of  Proctor,  thev  were  a  "  ferocious  and 
mortal  foe,  using  the  same  mode  of  warfare,  with  the 
allies  of  Britain."  The  recollection  of  the  affair  of  the 
River  Raisin  might  have  justified  revenge  :  and  what  is 
more,  the  instruments  who  perpetrated  those  deeds  were 
now  at  their  disposal ;  bereft  of  hope  by  this  signal  defeat 
and  the  loss  of  their  great  leader,  they  sued  for  peace$ 
and  as  an  earnest  of  their  sincerity,  offered  to  raise  their 
j  tomahawks  on  the  side  of  the  United  States,  and  wouhl 
have  acted  upon  the  British  prisoners  the  same  tragedy 
they  had  performed  on  the  Americans.  But  the  Ken" 
tuckians,  to  their  honour,  forebore  even  a  woixi  or  a  look 
of  insult ;  there  was  not  even  an  allusion  to  the  murder  of 
dieir.  brothers  and  friends  ;  the  prisoners  were  distributed 
iii  small  parties,  in  the  interior  towns,  and  altbou^  ex- 
tremelv  insulting  in  their  deportment,  were  not  merely 
treated  witli  humanity,  but  in  many  places  actually  fed 
with  dainties  by  the  humane  inhabitants.  This  treatment 
was  carried  to  an  extreme,  which  might  properly  deserve 
tlieuameof  folly,  were  it  not  anoblemoae  of  revenge 
for  what  our  countrymen  at  thiat  moment  endured  in  the 
British  dungeons  on  the  land,  and  in  the  floatiD]E(|>risons 
on  the  sea,  where  thev  suffered  every  species  or  wretch- 
{eduess,  want  and  torture. 

Nur  was  the  treatment  of  the  conquered  savages  less 
Igenerous.  Peace  was  granted  to  tiiem,  and  during  the  suc- 
ceeding winter  they  were  actually  subsisted  at  the  publick 
expunss.  They  stipulated  to  raise  the  tomahawk  against 
their  former  friends,  but  engaged  not  to  assail  the  deieoce- 
less  and  tlie  nou>cumbatant.* 


*  The  British  ministers  at  Ghent,  a  year  afterwards,  demanded 
lis  A  tine  qua  non,  that  an  article  should  be  inserted  in  the  treaty 

in  favour  of  these  their  quandun  allies^  but  who  Were  at  that 
I  time  their  enemies. 

it  •    '-^ 


m 


HISTORY  OIF  THG  WAR. 


'the  Indian  war  being  now  settled,  and  security  it. 
stored  to  ouf  frontier,  the  greater  part  of  the  volunteer 
irere  permitted  to  return  home ;  and  Harrison,  after 
stationing  general  Cass  at  ])«5troti,  with  about  one  thou. 
sand  men,  proceeded,  according  to  hia  Instructions 
iviih  the  remainder  of  his  force,  to  join  the  army  of  the 
•centre  at  Buffkloe.  Shortly  before  his  arrival  at  this 
plaee,an  interesting  correspondence  between  him  and 

Sneral  Vincent,  was  brought  on  hy  a  request  from 
e  latter,  that  Uie  British  prisoners  in  his  possession 
mi^t  be  treated  with  humanity.  General  Harrison^ 
aifter  assuring  him  that  such  a  request  was  unnecessary, 
deferred  him  to  the  prisoners  themselves  for  infor. 
mation  on  this  score.  He  then  took  occasion  to  go  into 
a  miiiute  detail  of  the  enormities  committed  bv  the  Brit* 
ish  and  Indians,  in  the  mode  of  warfare  whicli  they  had 
practised  towards  the  Americans.  He  painted  the  scenesofj 
the  lliver  Raisin,  and  the  Miami,  with  otiiers  of  a  similar 
character,  and  which  gen.  Proctor  had  attempted  to  cover 
by  an  inlkmous  slander  of  the  Western  people :  he  at  the 
Same'time  stated,  that  in  no  single  instance  had  the  Brit* 
bh  complained  of  a  deviation  from  civilized  warfare  on 
our  part  t  for  the  truth  of  these  facts,  he  appealed  to  the 
|)er8onal  knowledge  of  general  Vincent.  General  Har* 
lison  distinctly  stated,  that,  in  his  treatment  to  British 
prisoners,  he  acted  purely  from  a  sense  of  humanity,  and 
noton  tiie  score  of  reciprocity,  and  as  there  were  still  a 
number  of  those  Indians,  who  reside  beyond  the  bound- 
aries (^  the  United  States,  in  t4ie  employment  of  the 
British,  he  now  wished  to  be  informed  explicitly,  wheth* 
er  these  allies  would  be  restrained  in  future,  or  whether 
general  Vincent  would  permit  them  to  practice  their 
nsual  cruelties.  "  Use  then,  1  pray  you,"  said  he, "  your 
authority  and  influence  to  stop  the  dreatn'ul  effusion  of 
innocent  bloud,  which  proceeds  from  the  employment  of 
tiiose  savage  nr-onstet-e,  wliose  aid,  as  must  now  be  discov- 
ered, is  so  little  to  be  depended  on  when  most  wanted, 
and  which  can  have  so  trifling  MUeflect  on  ttie  issue  of  the 
war.  The  etiect  of  their  barbarities  will  not  be  confined 
to  the  present  generation.    Ages  yet  to  come  will  feel 


.f 


HISTORY  OF  THE  WAR. 


m 


the  deep  rooted  hatred  and  enmity,  which  they  must  pro* 
juce  between  the  two  nations."  He  concluded  by  declar- 
jng,  that  unl€88  a  stop  should  be  put  to  these  proceedingBy 
lie  would  be  under  the  necessHj  of  retorting  the  same 
treatment,  which  as  a  soldier  he  most  sincerely  deprecat- 
ed. This  part  of  his  letter  cannot  be  so  well  approved*;  it 
jg  a  threat  v\l)ich  the  government  would  not  have  permit- 
^  to  be  put  in  execution ;  retaliation  is  only  justifiable 
IS  a  mode  of  preventing  a  violation  of  the  laws  of  nationsy. 
but  not  as  a  punishment  for  it ;  this,  in  fact,  places  the 
civilized  nations  upon  a  footing  with  the  barbarians.  The 
vanton  practice  of  military  executions,  was  properly  ar- 
Ksted  bv  general  Washington ;  but  had  he  proceeded  ai 
once  to  the  slaughter  of  his  prisoners,  it  would  have  caus- 
ed a  war  of  extermination.  There  is  something  exceed* 
jigly  repugnant  to  the  feelings,  in  this  substitution  of  tb» 
ibjectsof  punishment,  in  causing  tli«  itmocent  to  su£fec 
fc  the  guilty. 

The  reply  of  general  Vincent  was  not  unlike  that  of 
Sir  Sidney  Beckwith,  vague  and  evasive.  He  express- 
ed himself  perfectly  satis&d  on  the  score  of  the  treat* 
ineot  of  the,prisoiicrs,  but  with  respect  to  the  otiier  topickt^ 
it  declined  saying  any  thing  ^  it  was  beyond  hisi  power 
to  give  an  expticit  answer  $  but  he  pledged  his  honour]^ 
that  to  the  utmost  of  his  power,  he  woulcl  join  with  gene- 
lal  Harrison  in  alleviating  the  calamities  of  war.  Although 
geoeral  Harrison  pledged  himself  to  produce  proofs  of 
ivery  thing  which  he  sUted,  general  Vincent  chose  to  be 
9ileut  upon  the  subject ;  ncitlier  disavowing  that  s^ch  aeti* 
wei-e  sanctioned  by  the  British  government,  nor  calling 
the  truth  of  them  in  question ;  tney  will,  therefore,  re- 
foainan  indelible  stigma,  oo  the  British  name. 


m 


196 


HISTORY  OF  TUB  WAR. 


CHAPTER  XL 


Preparations  for  invading  Canada — General  fFiOcins^n 
takes  command — Rendezvous  of  the  timerican  fwcn 
•^General  Wilkinson  descends  the  St,  Lattrence-^ 
Battle  of  Chrifstler'^s  field — Rampton*s  inability  to  ca- 
oferate — Failure  of  the  expedition — Cruise  of  Comnuh 
aore  Chauneey^^The  hwrning  of  JS^ivark — British  re. 
taliation. 

XHE  glorious  result  of  the  operations  of  the  north-west- 
em  army,  and  the  splendid  victory  on  the  lake,  opened 
the  way  to  a  more  effectual  invasion  of  Canada.    We 
iwere  now  in  the  situation  that  we  should  have  bften  at 
the  commencement  of  the  war,  had  HuU^  expedition 
proved  successful.    There  was,  however,  this  difierence, 
that  the  British  had  time  to  provide  for  a  defence,  by  col< 
lecting  troops,  disciplining  their  militia,  and  fortifying  the 
borders  of  tne  8t.  Lawrence.    On  the  other  hand,  a  more 
formidable  force  was  collected  on  the  frontier,  than  at 
any  time  since  the  war,  under  officers  whose  merits  had 
been  tried  in  actual  service ;    and  besides,  the  greater 
part  of  the  Indians  on  our  frontiers  had  declared  against 
the  British.    The  publick  was  now  so  elated  by  the  se- 
ries of  brilliant  victories  to  the  westward,  that  it  was 
thought  the  tide  of  fortune  had  at  last  turned  in  onr  fa- 
vour, and  it  was  expected  that  the  administration  would 
go  about  the  conquest  of  Canada  in  earnest. 

At  the  head  ^f  the  war  department,  tiiere  was  now  a 
man  of  energy  and  distinguished  talents,  who  had  re- 
sided a  long  time  abroad ;  and  it  was-suppposed  that,  from 
the  natural  bias  of  his  mind  to  military  affairs,  he  had 
availed  himself  of  his  opportunities  to  the  best  advan- 
tage.   Much  was  expected  fiom  him.    In  a  short  time 


HISTORY  OF  THE  WAIL 


iQf 


itwasaeknowledged,  thmt  great  improvements  were  in- 
troduced into  this  department,  particularly  in  the  selec- 
tion and  promotion  of  the  officers  of  the  army.  General 
Armstrong,  knowing  the  sanguine  expectations  w]\ich 
prevailed  through  the  country,  proceeded  to  the  north« 
ern  frontier)  with  a  plan  of  operations  diget^ed  in  the 
cabinet ;  and  which  he  intended  to  see  put  in  ex^cutioa. 
nnder  his  own  eye.  The  plan  as  afterwards  devetdped>- 
was  in  itself  judicious,  but  there  was,  perhaps,  in  its  exe-* 
etition,  not  a  sufficient  allowance  for  a  change  of  circam* 
stances.  Although  the  season  was  far  advanced  much 
mig^t  yet  be  done  ;  but,  to  satisfy  the  publick  expecta- 
tions, to  the  extent  to  which  they  had  been  raised  by  the 
success  of  Harrison,  was  scarcely  possible.  Little  short. 
of  the  complete  conquest  of  Canada  would  suffice,  anc^ 
iHit  vacuo  ideas  of  the  nature  of  the  enterprise,  and;the 
I  difficulties  to  be  encountered,  prevailed  tliroughottft  the 
neat  body  of  the  nation.  The  people  in  this  country^ 
oke  other  sovereigns^  look  little  further  than  the  success 
or  failure  of  titeir  agents,  without  much  weighing  the  pe<* 
iwliar  circumstances  under  which  they  may  have  acted* 
To  the  desire  of  doing  too  much,  may  perhaps  be  attri<r 
buted  the  misfortunes  we  experienced  in  a  campaign* 
which  resulted  so  diffbrently  trom  our  wiaiies  and  expec? 
(itions. 

After  the  resignation  of  general  Dearbornej  general 
Wilkinson,  who  tnen  commanded  ii}  the  southern  section 
of  the  union,  was  called  to  the  command  of  the  American 
forces.  With  respect  to  this  officer,  the  publick  opinion 
was  considerably  divided  as  to  some  points  in  his  cha* 
racter  and  conduct ;  but  it  was  generally  admitted,  that; 
he  possessed  a  greater  share  of  military  science  than 
any  one  in  the  ai'm3r.  The  general ^  on  taking  command. 
issued  an  order  which  gave  universal  satisfaction  ;  and 
it  was  expected  that,  for  the  sake  of  firmly  estaijlishing 
his  reputation  beyond  the  power  of  his-  enemies,  he 
would  endeavour  to  render  some  signal  service  to  his 
country.  The  force  under  his  command,  on  the  Niagara, 
amounted  to  eight  thousand  regulars,  besides  those  un- 
der Harrison)  who  was  expected  in  the  course  of  tht 


198 


HISTORY  OP  THE  WAR. 


month  of  Octolier.  General  Hampton,  8  distinguished 
revolutionary  officer,  had  also  been  called  from  the  sonth, 
and  appointed  to  the  command  of  the  army  of  the  nortii, 
then  encamped  at  Plattsburg,  and  amounting  to  about 
four  thousand  men.  As  the  season  for  military  opera- 
tions wa»  drawing  to  a  close,  it  was  determined  to  lose 
no  time,  and  measures  were  immediately  taken  for  car- 
rying  into  effect  the  projected  invasion.  The  outline  of 
th«  plan  which  had  been  adopted,  was  simply  to  de- 
scend the  St.  Lawrence,  passing  tlie  British  po!»ts  above, 
and  after  a  junction  with  general  Hampton  at  some  de- 
signated point  on  the  river,  proceed  to  the  island  of 
Montreal ;  and  after  whicli,  to  use  the  words  of  general 
Wilkinson, "  their  artillery,  l)ayonets,  and  swords,  must 
"  secure  them  a  triumph,  or  provide  for  them  honoura- 
^<  ble  graves,  "  It  is  said  that  a  difference  of  opinion 
existed  between  the  genital  and  the  Secretary  at  War 
on  this  subject ;  the  former,  not  considering  if  prudent 
to  leave  Kingston,  and  other  British  garrisons,  in  the 
rear ;  but  the  Secretary  seemed  to  think,  that  as  there 
Mras  no  doubt  of  taking  Montreal,  all  the  posts  on  the 
river  and  lakes  above  that  place,  must  fall  of  course. 
The  correctness  of  this  reasoning  cannot  be  denied  ;  but 
as  there  is  a  degree  of  uncertainty  in  every  human  un> 
dertaking,  it  is  unwise  to  make  no  allowance  fur  some 
possible  failure,  and  not  to  calculate  the  consequences; 
ticepting  indeed,  in  those  cases,  were  the  party,  iikjB 
Ccesar,  resolves  to  be  great  or  dead.  *     / 

The  army,  wttich  had  been  distributed  in  different 
corps,  and  stationed  at  various  points,  was  now  to  be 
concentrated  at  some  place  most  convenient  for  its  em- 
barkation. For  this  purpose  Grenadier's  Island,  which 
lies  between  Sackett's  Harbour  and  Kingston,  was  se* 
]ected,'on  account  of  its  contiguity  to  the  at.  Lawrence, 
as  the  most  proper  place  of  rendezvous.  On  the  second 
«f  October,  General  Wilkinson  left  Fort  George,  with 
the  principal  body  of  the  troops,  and  boon  after  reacheii 
the  island,  where  he  occupied  himself  incessantly  in  mak- 
ing the  necessary  preparations  for  the  prosecution  of  his 
enterprise,    lit  several  times  visited  Sackett's  Harbour, 


>iS'- 


HISTORY  OF  THE  WAR, 


i9sr 


it  which  place  the  troops  first  arrived,  and  r'ter  re  liv- 
ing the'.r  necessary  supplies,  proceeded  to  the  place  of 
rendezvous.  Colonel  Scott,  whom  he  had  left  m  com' 
nand  at  Fort  George,  \v&^  ordered  to  embark  with  his 
regiment  of  artillery,  and  colonel  Randolph's  infantry, 
oD  board  a  vesse'  of  the  squadron,  and  proceed  to  the-  isl- 
and. Colonel  Dennis  was  left  in  the  command  of  Sack- 
ett's  Harbour;  and  the  general  having  provided  a  suffi- 
cient number  of  boats  to  transport  the  artillery  through 
the  St.  l<awrence,  proceeded  to  put  the  troops  in  motion. 
Bjthe  2Sd,  the  troops  thus  collected  exceeded  seven 
thousand  men,  and  were  composed  of  colonel  Porter^a 
light  artillery,  a  few  companies  of  colonel  Scott's  and 
Macomb's  res^iments  of  artillery,  twelve  regiments  of  in- 
fantry, and  Forsythe**  rifle  corps. 

In  consequence  of  tlie  high  winds,  which  prevailed  for 
several  days  on  the  liake,  it  was  not  until  tlie  33th  that 
the  army  could  get  under  weigh.  The  general  at  this 
time  experienced  a  severe  illness,  notwithstanding  which) 
he  still  continued  to  direct  the  movements  of  the  army. 
A  few  days  before,  he  received  intelligence,  that  the  ene- 
my, in  consequence  of  his  departure  from  Fort  George, 
had  also  abandoned  that  neighbourhood,  and  was  occu- 
pied m  concentrating  his  forces  at  Kingston,  conceiving 
that  place  to  be  the  object  of  attack.  General  Wilkin- 
8cn,  to  favour  this  idea,  after  entering  the  St.  Lawrencet 
^xed  on  French  Creek  as  the  place  of  rendezvous^  and 
Mrhich  from  the  circumstance  of  being  opposite  the  most 
proper  point  of  debarkation  on  the  Canada  side,  might 
completely  deceive  the  enemy.  General  Brown,  now  a 
brigadier  in  the  service  of  the  United  States,  was  order- 
ed to  take  the  command  of  the  advance  pf  th«  army  at 
this  place.  On  the  first  of  November,  a  British  squa- 
dron made  its  appearance  near  French  Creek,  with  a 
large  bod^  of  infantry  fa  battery  of  three  eighteen  pound- 
ers, skilluUv  managed  by  captains  M4^herson  and  Fan- 
ning, soon  forced  them  to  retire.  The  attack  was  renew- 
ed tiie  next  morning,  but  with  no  bttter  success ;  and  as 
the  other  eorps  of  the  ftriny  now  daily  arrived}  the  enemy 
thonght  proper  to  move  oflr.    On  the  sixth^  the  army  was 


$00* 


HISTORY  OF  THE  WAR; 


put  in  motion,  ami  it.  t!ic  evening  landed  a  few  ntiles^ 
jibove  the  British  Fort  Prescott.  After  reconnoitrino  the 
passage  at  this  place,  and  finding  that  the  fort  commanued 
the  liver,  general  VVilkinson  directed  the  fixed  ammuni- 
tion to  be  transported  by  land  to  a  safe  point  below,  aniT 
deti'rmined  to  take  advantage  of  ^e  night  to  pass  with 
the  flotilla,  while  the  troops  were  marched  to  the  same 
point,  leavinj^  on  board  the  boats  merely  a  suiiicient 
number  to  navigate  them.  Availins  himself  of  a  heavy 
fng  which  came  on  in  the  evening,  the  commander  endea- 
youred  to  pass  the  fort  unobserved;  but  the  weather  clear- 
ing up,  and  the  moon  shining,  he  was  discovered  by  the 
enemy,  who  opened  a  heavy  fire.  General  Brown,  who 
was  m  the  rear  with  the  flotilla,  thought  it  prudent  to 
land  for  the  present,  until  the  night  should  grow  darker. 
He  then  proceeded  down  the  river,  but  not  without 
being  discovered,  and  he  was  asain  exposed  to  a  severe 
cannonade;  notwithstanding  whieh  not  one  out  of  three 
hundred  boats  suffered  the  sHsh test  injury.  Before  ten 
o'clock  the  next  day,  tliey  had  all  safely  arrived  at  the 
place  of  destination.  ^  A  messenger  was  nmv  despatched^ 
to  general  Hampton  informing  him  of  the  movement  of. 
the  army,  and  requiring  his  co-operation*. 

The  enemjr.  by  this  time,  having  penetrated  the  design 
of  the  Americans,  immediately  occupied  themselves  rith 

Sreat  assiduity,  to  counteract  it.  On  fte*  ae^ntli,  the 
escent  was  found  to  be  impeded  by  conaiderable  bodieiv 
of  the  British,  stationed  at  the  narrow  parts  of  the  river, 
where  they  could  annoy  our  boat9  within  musket  shot: 
and  what  increased  the  embarrassment,  the  illness  of 
the  commander  in  chief  had  augmented  in  the  most 
alarming  degree.  The  army  was  also  delayed  for  half 
a  dayin  extricating  two  schooners  loaded  with  [n'ovi* 
•ions,  which  had  been  driven  into  a  part  of  th^  river 
near  (^ensburgh,  by  ^e  enemy's  fire.  A  corps  d'eiilQ 
of  twelve  hundred  men,  under  colonel  M'Comb,  being  (ics* 
patched  to  remove  the  obstructions  to  the  descent  of  the 
army)  at  three  o'clock  he  was  followed  by  the  main 
body.  On  passing  the  first  rapids  of  the  St.  Lawrence^ 
the  barge  oi  the  coiamander  in  chief  was  assailed  by  two 


mSTORY  OF  THE  WAR. 


^t 


ueees  of  artillerjf,  but  without  any  other  injury  than  by 
eutting  the  i*is|,inv.    The  attention  of  the  enemy  was 
goon  diverted Ty  iieuwenant  coionei  Eustis,  who  return- 
id  their  fire  from  some  light  barges^  while  major  Forsythe 
it  the  same  time,   landing  some  of  hi;)  riflemen,  at- 
tacked them  un*;  xpectedly,  and  carried  off  three  pipces 
of  their  artillery.    The  flotilla  came  to  about  six  miles 
^low  Hamiltoa,  and  there  received  intelligence  tiiat 
tolonei  MK^bihb  had  routed  the  enemy  at  a  block  house 
two  miles  below,  and  that  the  dragoons  attached  to  the 
irst  division  of  tlie  enemy,  had  boen  collected  at  a  place 
called  the  White  House,  at  a  contraction  of  the  river  j  to 
which  point  the  flotilla  was  ordered  the  next  mok^ningtot^ 
I  proceed.    On  arriving  at  this  place  on  the  eighth,  gene- 
I  nl  Brown  was  ordered  to  go  K>rward  with  his  brigade, 
I  to  reinforce  colonel  M^Comb,  and  to  take  command  of 
1^  advance,  while  the  commander  in  chief  directed  the 

Snsportatiou  of  the  dragoons  across  the  St.  LawrenceJ 
e  last  was  completed  during  the  night 
[The  British  finding  themselves  freed  from  any  appr^- 
JKiiiions  of  attack  on  Kingston,  moved,  wi^  the  great- 
^er  part  of  their  force,  to  harass  the  American  army. 
I^On  the  ninth,  they  had  so  far  gained  upon  its  rear,  as  to 
'  bring  on  a  skirmish  between  the  American  riflemen  and 
I  a  party  of  militia  and  Indians.  To  be  thus  harassed  by 
|alan;ebody  of  troops  hanging  on  its  rear,  is  a  situation 
I  which  military  men  have  always  carefully  avoided,  and 
I  this  was  the  necessary  consequence  of  withdrawing  tiie 
I  troops  from  above,  which  might  have  kept  them  in  check. 
Had  two  thousand  men  been  stationed  in  the  vicinity  of 
[Kingston  to  threaten  it,  the  enemy  would  have  been 
compelled  to  concentrate  his  force  at  this  place,  by  which 
I  meaas  the  main  body  of  the  army  might  have  passed  in 
t  j;reater  safety.  In  the  coitrse  of  the  day,  the  cavalry  and 
four  pieces  of  artillery  under  captain  M'Pherson,  were 
ordered  to  clear  the  coast  as  far  as  the  head  of  the  Longue 
8aut  ^  and  in  the  evening  the  army  arrived  at  a  place 
called  the  Yellow  House,  which  stands  near  the  Saut. 
As  the  passage  of  this  place  was  attended  with  con- 
siderable difficiil ty,  on  account  of  the  rapidity  of  th« 


w$ 


HISTORY  OF  THE  WAM. 


r 


current,  and  of  its  kneth,  it  was  deeir  -^  'lent  to  wait 
until  t')e  neit  day,  and  in  the  mean  wh  .  jecame  ncceg. 
tary  to  U8«  the  utmost  precaution. 

On  the  rooming  of  tha  tenth,  general  Brown,  with 
t^ie  troops  under  his  comnMnd,  excepting  two  pieces  «f 
artillery,  and  tho  second  regiment  of  dragoons,  was  or. 
dered  to  march  in  advance  ofthe  army.  A  regard  for  the 
safety  of  the  men,  had  induced  the  commander  in  chief 
to  retain  as  few  ofthe  troops  in  the  boats  as  possible,  oa 
account  of  the  exposure  to  which  they  would  ho  subject, 
in  the  long  and  dangerous  nassage  of  these  rajuils,  and 
where  the  enemy  had  in  all  prm)ability  established  bat. 
teries  for  the  purpose  of  impeding  their  descent.  Th^ 
second  foment  ot  dragoons,  and  si  considerable  portion 
of  the  other  briMides,  who  had  been  withdrawn  fium  ti^e 
boats,  were  orc^ed  to  follow  under  general  Boyd,  tho 
stene  of  general  Brown,  to  prevent  the  enemy  who  werft 
atiU  banging  on  the  rear  ofthe  army,  from  making  asf 
advantageous  attack.  General  Brown  now  CDininencra 
his  march  at  the  head  of  his  troops,  consisting  principal* 
lyof  colonel  M^Comb^s  artillery,  and  a  part  ofScott'tt) 
part  of  the  light  artillery,  the  riflemen,  and  the  sixtbJ 
fifteenth  and  twenty-second  regiments,  It  was  i>ot  lon| 
before  he  found  himself  engagea  with  a  strong  party  at  a  i 
block-house  near  the  Saut,  wiiich  after  a  contest  of  a  few 
yiinutes,  was  repulsed  by  the  riflemen  under  FursytheJ 
who  was  severely  wounded.  About  the  same  time  some 
ofthe  enemy's  galleys  approached  ttie  flotilla,  which  had 
landed,  and  commenced  a  Sre  upon  it,  by  which  a  number 
Qf  the  boats  were  injured';  two  eighteen  pounders,  how. 
lever,  being  hastily  run  on  shore,  a  fire  from  them  soon 
compelled  the  assailants  to  retire.  The  day  being  now 
too  tar  spent  to  attempt  the  Saut,  it  was  r|Soived  to  post* 
pone  it  until  the  day  lollowing. 

At  ten  o'clock  on  the  eleventh,  at  the  moment  that  the 
0otilla  wa^  about  to  proceed,  and  when  a.t  the  same 
time,  the  division  under  general  Boyd,  .consisting  of 
his  own  and  the  brigades  of  generals  Covington  and 
Swartwout,  were  drawn  up  in  marching  order,  an  alarm 
was  given  that  the  enemy  was  disoovered  approaching  | 


HISTORY  Of  tHR  WAR. 


^U 


{g  column.    The  commander  in  chief  and  general  Lcw- 
igjHeinghoth  too  much  indisposed  to  take  the  command) 
•eneral  Bojd  was  ordered  to  face  about  and  attack  the 
ipproaching  army^     The  enemy's  galleys  had  at  ther 
tame  time  approached,  for  tiie  purpose  of  attacking  the 
rear  of  the  American  flotilla.    General  Boyd  now  ad- 
vanced M'ithhis  detachment  formed  in  three  columns,  and 
ordered  a  part  of  general  Swartwout's  brisade  to  move 
fon\'ard,  and  brine  the  enemy  to  action.    Cmonel  Ripley, 
accordingly,  at  the  head  of  the  21st  regiment,  passed 
the  wood  which  skirts  the  open  ground  called  Chrystler's 
ield,  and  drove  in  several  of  tne  enemy'«  parties.    On 
entering  the  field,  he  met  the  advance  ol  the  British, 
consisting  of  the  forty-ninth  and  the  Glengaiy  fencibles. 
Colonel  Ripley  immediately  ordered    a  charge,  which 
las  executed  with  such  surprising  firmness,  tliat  these 
tvo  regiments,  nearly  double  his  numbers,  were  com- 
|elled  to  retire ;  and  on  making  a  stand,  were  a  second 
time  driven  before  the  bayonet,  and  compelled  to  pass 
ever  the  ravines  and  fences,  by  which  the  field  was  inter-^ 
Kcted,  until  they  fell  on  their  main  body.     General 
Covington  had,  before  this,  advanced  upon  the  right  of  the 
inetny,  where  his  artillery  was  posted,  and  at  the  mo- 
ment colonel  Ripley  had  assailed  the  left  flank,  the  right 
was  forced  by  a  determined  onset,  and  Success  appeared 
scarcely  doObtful.     Unfortunately,    however,   ^neral 
Covington,  whose  activity  had  rendered  him  conspicuous^ 
^ame  a  mark  for  the  sharp-shooters  of  the  enemy  sta^ 
tioned  in  Chrvstler's  house,  and  he  was  shot  from  his 
horse.    The  fall  of  this  gallant  officer  arrested  the.pfo* 
cress  of  the  brigade,  and  the  artillery  of  tlie  enemy  threw 
It  into  confusion,  and  caused  it  to  tall  back  in  disorder. 
The  British  commander  now  wheeled  part  of  his  line  in- 
to column,  wiCli  the  view  of  capturiug  some  pieces  of 
artillery,  which  were  no  longer  supported.    A  body  of 
dragoons,   under   the  adjutant   general    Walbach,  at- 
tempted, in  A  very  gallant  manner,  to  cbargi  the  British 
column  ;  but  from  me  nature  of  the  ground  were  not  suo^ 
cessfttl.    At  this  critical  moment,  colonel  Ripley,  who 
I  hd  been  engagod  with  the  enemy's  left  flank)  threw  his 


fi04 


HISTORY  OF  THE  WAR. 


regiment,  between  the  artillery  and  the  advancing  column 
and  friibtriited  their  design.  Tiie  British  fell  back  with 
precipitation.  The  re<*iinent8  which  had  broken  had  not 
retired  from  the  field,  out  still  continued  to  keep  up  an 
irregular  Aght with  various  success;  and  the  twenty-iirst 
having  by  tnis  time  expended  its  ammunition^  and  being 
in  an  exbosed  situation,  was  withdrawn  to  another  posi. 
tion,  ana  in  the  mean  while  the  enemy  again  attempted  to 
possess  themselves  of  the  artillery.  One  piece  was  un* 
fortunately  captured  by  them,  in  consequence  of  thedeatit 
of  lieutenant  \Vm.  S.  Smith,  who  commanded  it;  the 
others  were  brought  oif  by  the  coolness  and  bravery  of 
captain  Armstrong  Irvine.  The  action  soon  after  ceased, 
having  been  kept  up  for  t\yo  hours,  by  little  better  than 
raw  troops  against  an  equal  number  of  veterans.  The 
British  force  consisted  of  detachments  from  the  forty, 
ninth,  eighty>fourth,  hundred  and  fourth,  the  Voltigeurs, 
and  the  Glengary  regiment.  The  enemy  soon  aifter 
retired  to  their  camp,  aiid  the  Americans  to  their 
boats. 

In  this  battle  the  loss  of  the  Americans,  in  killed  and 
wounded,  amounted  to  three  hundred  and  thirty>nine,  of  I 
whom  one  hundred  and  two  were  killed  :  among  these 
were  lieutenants  Ssmith,  Hunter,  and  Qlmstead ;  among  the 
wounded,  were  general  Covington,  who  afterwards  di- 
ed $  colonel  Preston,  majors  Chambers,  Noon,  and 
Cummin&s ;  captains  Townsend,  Foster,  Myers,  Camp. 
bell,  and  Muraock;  and  lieutenants .  Heaton,  Williains, 
Lynch,  Pelham,  Brown,  and  Creery.  The  British  loss 
could  not  have  been  less  than  that  of  the  Americans. 

Both  parties  claimed  the  victory  on  this  occasion,  but 
it  was  properly  a  drawn  battle;  the  British  retiring  to 
their  encampments,  and  the  Americans  to  their  boats. 
Perhaps,  from  the  circumstance  of  the  enemy's  never 
again  assailing  the  American  army,  it  may  be  taken  fur 
granted,  that  they  were  defeated  in  their  object.  Gene* 
rai  Brown  had,  in  the  meanwhile^  reached  the  fort  of  { 
the  Rapids,  and  awaited  the  arrival  of  the  army.  On 
the  eleventh,  the  army  proceeded  on  its  rout,  and  joined 
the  advance  near  Barmiart.    At  thisplacey  tlie  comnian- 


H18T0RY  OP  THE  WAR. 


tt5 


d«r  in  chief  received  a  letter  from  general  Hampton^ 
^hich  in  the  most  unexpected  manner,  pat  an  end  at 
oDce  to  the  further  prosecution  of  the  oesign  against 
Montreal. 

On  the  sixth,  a  few  days  before  the  battle  of  Chrystler's 
field,  the  commander  in  chief  had  gjiven  orders  to  seneral 
Hampton,  to  meet  him  at  St  Regis  ;  but  soon  aner  this 
order,  a  letter  was  received  from  general  Hampton,  in 
which,  after  stating  tha^'from  the  insclosure  of  th6  state' 
of  general  Wilkinson's  supply  of  provisions,  and'  the 
situation  of  the  roads  to  St.  Regis,  which  rendered  it 
impossible  to  transport  a  greater  quantity  than  could  be 
carried  by  a  man  on  his  back,  he  had  determined  to  open 
I  communication  from  Piattsburgh  to  Conewaeo,  or  bf 
toy  other  point  on  the  St.  Lawrence,  which  tne  com- 
iBwnder  in  chief  might  indicate.  General  Hampton 
Mtuetime  before  this,  with  a  view  to  a  further  movement 
of  his  troops,  had  descended  the  Chateaugay  river ;  about 
the  same  time  that  the  army  was  concentrated  on  Lake 
Ontario.  Sir  George  Prevost  perceiving  this  movement 
towards  Montreal,   had  collected  all  nis  force  at  this 

Kint,  to  oppose  the  march  of  Hampton.  On  the  2l8t  of 
itoberthis  officer  crossed  the  line,  but  soon  found  his 
road  obstructed  b^  fallen  timber,  and  the  ambuscade  of 
the  enemy's  militia  and  Indians.  A  wood  of  considera> 
Me  extent  would  have  to  be  passed,  before  they 
could  reach  the  open  country,  and  while  the  engineers 
were  engaged  in  cutting  away  through,  colonel -Purdy 
was  detached  with  the  light  troops  and  one  regiment  off 
the  line,  to  turn  their  flank,  and  then  seize  on  the  opeii' 
country  below.  In  this  he  succeeded,  and  the  army  by 
the  next  day  reached  the  pcsition  of  the  advance.  But 
it  was  discovered  that  about  seven  miles  further,  there 
was  a  wood  which  had  been  felled  and  formed  into  ah 
abatis,  and  that  a  succession  of  breast-works,  some  of 
them  well  supplied  with  artillery,  had  been  funned  by 
the  main  boay  of  the  enemy.  Colonel  Purdy,  on  the 
twenty 'fifth,  was  ordered  to  march  down  the  river  on* 
the  opposite  side,  and  on  passing  the  enemy,  to  cross 
over,  aad  attack  him  in  his  rear,  whilst  the  origade  an*" 

18.  • 


sod 


HISTORY  OF  THE  WAR. 


der  general  Izard  would  attack  him  in  front.  Colonel 
Punly  had  not  marched  far,  when  his  orders  were  coun- 
termanded ;  but  on  his  r(  turn,  he  was  attacked  by  the 
enemy^s  infantry  and  Indians,  and  at  first  thrown  into 
some  confusion,  but  the  assailants  were  soon  after  re* 
pulsed ;  they  came  out  at  the  same  momeT)t  in  front,  and 
attacked  general  Izard,  but  were  soon  after  compelled 
to  retire  behind  their  defencesv  General  Hampton  re- 
ceiving information  that  the  enemy  were  continually  re- 
inforced, resolved,  on  the  advice  of  his  officers,  to  re- 
treat to  a  position  which  he  had  occupied  some  days  be< 
fore,  called  the  Four  Corners,  where  he  arrived  on  the 
last  day  of  the  month.  The  British  claimed  a  victory 
for  this  afiair«  which  they  say  was  gained  with  a  very  in- 
feriour  force.  But  it  was  not  the  intention  of  general 
Hampton  to  penetrate  to  Montreal,  but  merely  to  divert 
the  attention  of  the  British  from  the  army  of  general 
Wilkinson,  with  which  it  w;i8  his  intention  to  form  a 
junction  some  days  afterwards.  Having  accomplish- 
ed  his  object,  he  fell  back  to  the  position  whence  he 
could,  with  greater  facility,  make  his  way  to  some  point 
on  the  St.  Lawrence.  It  was  then  that,  on  the  receipt  of 
the  order  of  the  commander  in  chief,  he  despatched  the 
letter  already  mentioned,  stating  the  impracticability  ofa 
compliance.  On  the  receipt  of  general  Hampton's  com- 
jnimication,  a  council  of  the  principal  officers  was  called, 
by  which  it  was  determined  that  the  objects  of  the  cam- 
paign were  no  longer  attainable  i  it  was  therefore  resolved 
to  retire  into  winter-quarters  at  French  Mills.  The 
Ijroops  under  general  Hampton  soon  affer  followed  bis  ex- 
ample, and  in  consequence  of  the  illness  of  that  officer, 
his  corps  was  left  under  the  command  of  general  Izard. 
;  Thus  terminated  a  campai^^n,  which  ^ave  rise  to  iiiuch 
dissatisfaction,  proportioned  to  the  high  expectations 
wliich  had  been  indulged  ;  and  this  unexpected  turn  of 
affairs  appeared  tu  cast  a  shade  upon  all  the  brilliant  se- 
ries of  success  which  had  preceded.  Opinion  was  much 
divided  as  to  the  causes  of  the  failure,  and  as  to  the  par- 
ties who  ought  to  bear  the  blame.  With  respect  to  gene- 
i^al  WilkinsoD)  after  (he  di^apporntmerit  in  hiB  rmiorctB- 


HISTORY  OF  THE  WAlk. 


Si?? 


went  and  supplies,  it  would  not  perhaps  have  been  pru- 
dent fur  him  tu  have  persevered;  and  besides,  from  the 
state  of  his  health,  he  was  not  c^ualiiied  to  cany  into  ex- 
ecation  what  would  have  required  the  utmost  vigour  of 
mind  and  bodj.  With  respect  to  Hampton,  military 
men  will  probably  say,  tliat  it  was  his  duty  to  have  obey- 
ed;  but  ir  we  place  implicit  reliance  upori  the  correct- 
ness of  the  facts  which  he  alleged,  it  will  be  difficult  to 
condemn  his  conduct.  VV'ith  respect  to  the  whole  plan 
of  operations,  it  was  certainly  judicious;  it  ought  iroin 
the  first  to  have  been  adopted.  By  seizing  a  favour- 
able position  on  the  St.  Lawrence  and  strongly  fortify- 
ing it,  the  commaaication  between  the  upper  and  lower 
provinces  would  have  been  cut  oSj  andr  the  most  import- 
ant results  would  have  followed.  The  season,  however, 
was  too  far  advanced  to  attempt  it  with  just  expectations 
of  success.  It  is  by  no  means  certain,  that  Montreal 
eoiild  have  been  taken  witliouta  siege  of  some  length ;  and 
die  strength  of  the  British  was  probably  greater  than  it 
had  been  supposed.  The  presence  of  the  secretary  at 
war,  fur  the  purpose  of  superintending  the  operations  of 
the  campaign,  was  perhaps  more  injurious  than  servicea- 
ble. He  was  by  no  means  in  a  situation  in  which  he 
could  be  considered  responsible,  although  in  case  of  suo 
cRss,  the  merit  of  it  would  be  assigned  to  him.  This  is 
an  uniair  and  improper  interference  which  ought  to  be 
condemned. 

While  these  things  were  taking  place  pn  the  land,  the 
comntaniler  of  our  squadron  on  tlie  lake  was  not  idle. 
Co.iimodore  Chauncey,  it  has  been  seen,  after  his  first 
attempt  to  bring  the  enemy  to  action,  returned  to  Sack* 
ett's  Harbour,  for  the  purpose  of  obtaining  a  fresh  sup- 
ply of  provisions.  After  being  reiiEiforced  -by  a  new 
schooner,  he  again  sailed  on  a  cruise;  and  on  the  se- 
venth of  September,  discovered  the  British  isquadron 
near  the  Niagara,  and  immediately  stood  for  it :  Sir 
James,  on  perceiving  the  Americans,  made  sail  to  the 
northward,  anil  was  pursued  during  four  days  and^ni^ts; 
but  owing  to  the  dull  sailing  of  a  greater  part  of  the  pun> 
8uerb,ho  was  enabled  to  keep  out  of  their  reach.    Oa  the 


V 


ao8 


HISTORY  OF  THii  WAR. 


fourth  day,  off  Genesee  river,  commodore  Chauneej 
havine  a  breeze,  while  Sir  James  lay  becalmed,  endea* 
iroured  to  close  with  him  |  this  he  was  not  able  to  ac- 
complish, the  enemy  taking  the  breeze  also,  when  the 
American  squadron' had  approached  within  half  a  mile. 
After  a  runnins  fight  of  more  than  three  hoursi  the  Bri- 
tish  escaped ;  but  the  next  mornins  ran  into  Amherst 
,bay,  whither  the  American  commodore,  from  the  want 
of  a  pilot,  did  not  thmk  it  prudent  to  follow,  but  con* 
tented  himself  with  forming  a  blockade.  In  the  running 
fight,  the  British  sustained  considerable  injury ;  that  of 
the  Americans  was  very  trifling.  The  blockade  was 
continued  until  the  seventeenth  of  September,  when  ii^ 
.consequence  of  alieavy  gale  which  blew  from  the  west* 
ward,  the  commodore  was  compelled^ to  leave  his  station, 
and  the  British  escape  i  into  Kingston. 

After  remaining  but  a  short  time  in  Sackett's  Harbour,i 
commodore    Chauncey  again  sailed  towards   Niagara, 
where  he  arrived  on  the  twenty -fourth,  having  passed! 
Sir  James  at  the  False  Ducks,  without  noticing  him,  in- ^ 
tending  to  draw  him  int^the  lake.    A  few  days  after,  the! 
American  commodore  received  information,   that  the 
enemy  was  in  the  harbour  of  York ;  he  therejFore  mad( 
«ail  to  that  place,  as  fast  as  his  dull  sailing  schooners 
^would  permit ;  and  on  the  twenty-seyentli,  early  in  the 
morning,  discovered  the  enemy  in  motion  in  the  bay, 
and  immediately  stood  for  him.    This  being  perceiyed 
by  Sir  James,  he  stood  oat  and  endeavoured  to  escape  to 
tne  southward  $  but  finding  that  the  American  was  clos- 
ing upon  him,  tacked  his  sc^uadron  in  succession ;  and 
commenced  a  well  directed  hre  at  th^  Pike,  in  order  to 
cover  his  rear  $  and  attacking  the  rear  of  his  opnouent 
«8  he  passed  to  leeward  ;  this  was  prevented  by  the  skil- 
JTul  manoeuvring  of  Chauncey,  by  bearing  down  in  line 
on  the  centre  of  the  enemy's  squadron,  which  was  thrown 
into  confusion,  and  Veo  immediately. bore  away,  but  not 
ibefore  his  ship  had  been  roughly  handled  by  that  of  the 
commodore.    In  twenty  minutes,  the  main  and  mizen- 
.top-mast  and  main  yard  of  the  Wolf,  were  shot  away ; 
the  British  commander  set  sail  upon  his  foremast,  and 


and  forced  it  to 


HISTORY  OF  THE  WAR. 


209 


keeping  dead  before  the  wind,  was  enabled  to  outsail  the  ' 

Leater  part  of  Chauncey's  squadron.    The  chase  was 

Continued  until  three  o'clock,  the  Pike  having  the  As[^ 

jntow,  and  during  the  greater  part  of  this  time,  within 

itach  of  the  enemy's  shot.    Captain  Crane,  in  the  Madt-' 

Ld,  and  lieutenant  Brown,  of  the  Oneida,  used  every 

(lertion  to  close  with  the  enemyr  but  without  success. 

me  chase  was  at  length  reluctantly  given  up,  as  it  came 

Jon tff  blow  almost  a  gale,  and  there  was  no  hope  of  clos- 

[iiBwith  the  enemy  before  he  could  reach  the  British  bat- 

[teries,  and  without  great  risk  of  running  ashore.    .The 

{ginmodore  was  iustly  entitled  to  claim  a  victory  in  this 

ir;  although  the  enemy  were  not  captured,  they  were 

trUinly  beaten  ;  two  of  his  vessels  were  at  one  moment 

boipletely  in  the  commodore's  power  ;  but  from  his  ea- 

rness  to  close  with  the  whole  fleet,  they  effected  theii^ 

ipe.    In  addition  to  the  general  policy  of  Sir  James 

leo,  the  late  affair  on  Lake  Erie  had  rendered  him<  par* 

Icularly  careful  to  avoid  an  engagement.    Thelossoix 

oard  the  Pike  was  considerable,  owing  to  her  having. 

en  so  long  exposed  to  the  fire  of  the  enemy's  fleet  $  tlie 

jst  serious,  however,  was  occasioned  by  the  bursting  ' 

[of  one  of  her  guns,  by  which  twenty -two  men  were  killeoi  ;, 

land  wouiNiea;  the  total    amounted    to    twenty -seven* 

[The  vessel  wa»  a  good  deal  cut  up  in  her  hull  and.  rif^- 

Shortly  after  this  aftuir,  the  commodore  having  commu- 
bicated  with  general  Wilkinson  on  the  subject  ofthe  expe- 
Idition  then  on  foot,  wa»  advised  to  continue  to  watch  tite 
[enemy's  squadron  ;  and,  if  possible,  prevent  its  return  ta 
|Kine;ston.  About  the  beginning  ot  October,  the  com- 
Imudore  again  chased  the  enemy's  fleet  for  several  days^ 
land  forced  it  to  take  refuge  in  Burlingtim  Bay  $  tlie  next 
morning,  on  sending  the  Lady  of  the  Lake  to  reconnoi-^ 
Itre,  it  was  discovered  that  Sir  James  had  taken  advan- 
tage of  the  darkness  of  the  night,  and  escaped  to- ICing8<p 
ItoQ.  Much  pleasanty  was  indulged  at  this  time,  at  the 
fihjness  of  the  British  Knight,  and  his  ungallant  escape 
Itroni  the  Lady  of  the  Lake.  The  chase  was  now  renew^ 
M)  and,  fiivoared  by  the  wind,  the  commodore  catae  ill 
'  .  18*  - 


dio 


HISTORY  OF  THE  WAR. 


si^^htof  seven  schoonerS}  and  captoredfive  of  them  im 
spite   of  their  efforts  to  escape  bj  separating.    Before] 
•un-doivQ,  three  of  them  struck  to  the  Pike,  and  anoth.] 
tlier  to  the  Sjiph  and  the  Lady  of  the  Lake,  and  a  iiftJ 
was  afterwards  captured  by  the  Sylph.     They  turned 
out  to  be  gi'n  vessels,  bound  to  the  head  of  the  lake  as 
transports.    Two  of  them  were  the  Julia  and  Growler 
which  had    been  lost  by  the    Americans.     On    board! 
were  three  hundred  soldiers,  belonging  to  the  De  WatteJ 
ville  regiment.    It  was  ascertained  that  the  ship  of  Sirl 
James    leo,  and  the  Royal  George,  had  S'vftered  veryl 
ooasiderable  injury,  as  well  as  loss  in  killed  xind  wuund-l 
^.    Commodore  Chauncey  remained  master  of  the  lake! 
during  the  remainder  of  the  season. 

It  was  not  long  before  the  consequences  of  leavings 
large  force  in  the  rear,  and  withdrawing  the  troops  from 
the  Niagaia,  were  felt.  General  Harrison  reached  Bufj 
feloe  some  days  after  the  departure  of  the  commander  ig 
ciiief;  and  was  to  follow  immediately,  but  was  compel! 
led  to  wait  until  some  time  in  NoYemoer,  in  consequence] 
of  the  deficiency  of  transports.  It  was  not  until  gene.' 
ral  Wilkinson  had  gone  into  winter  quarters,  that  Har*l 
vison  wibarked  ;  orders  had  been  previously  sent  for  himl 
to  remain,  but  unfortunately  these  did  not  reach  Fortl 
Qeorge  until  after  his  departure.  The  fort  was  left  ua'l 
der  the  command  of  general  M'Clure,  his  force  consist*} 
ingcntirely  of  militia,  whose  term  of  service  had  nearlyj 
expire<l.  By  the  tenth  of  December,  the  force  under! 
general  M^Clurc  was  reduced  to  a  handful  of  men,  aoM 
on  a  consultation  of  ofticers,  it  was  unanimously  a^^reedj 
that  this  place  was  no  longer  tenable.  It  was  moreover! 
^iscertaincd,  that  the  enemy  was  on  his  march  with  a| 
ftonsiderable  force.     The  general  had  scarcely  time  tol 

Sass  the  river  after  having  blown  up  the  fort,  before  thel 
ii'itish  appeared.  The  retreat  cf  general  M^CIure  wa$| 
«iso  preceded  by  an  act  which  every  American  must  sin- 
cerely regret,  and  which  excited  universal  dissatisfac*; 
■tion  throughout  tlve  United  States.  There  is  a  handsomel 
tillage,  situated  immediately  below  the  (qfU  called  Newj 
Ark  j(  as  this  place,  from  its  situation,  would  greatly  m 


KtSTORY  OF  THE  WAR. 


311 


^r  the- besiegers,  an  authority  had  therefore  been  giv- 
en by  the  Secretary  at  War,  in  case  it  became  necessary 
fir  Hie- defence  of  the  fort,  to  destroy  the  village,  and 
by  that  means  prevent  the  enemy  from  taking  shelter. 
The  general,  misconceiving  tliese  orders,   after  giving 
notice  to  the  inhabitants  to  retire  with  their  effects,  fired 
^e  buildii^,  and  left  the  village  in  flames.    This  act 
was  no  sooner  known  to  the  |;overnmcnt,  than  it  was 
promptly  disavowed.     On  the  sixth  of  January  following, 
the  order  under  which  general  M'Clure  conceived  him- 
self to  have  acted,  was  enclosed  to  Sir  George  Prevost, 
wiUi  a  formal  declaration,  that  the  act  was  unauthorised. 
To thisan answer,  dated  the  tenth  of  February,  was  giv- 
en by  the  governour  of  Canada,  expressing,.  *' great  sa- 
Ixtisfaction,  that  he  had  received  assurance  that  the  per* 
loetration  of  the  burning  of  the  town  of  Newark,    was 
'both unauthorised  by  the  American  government,  and  ab- 
Wcent  to  every  American  feeling ;  that  if  any  outrages 
tiad  ensued  the  wanton  and  unjustifiable  destruction  c^' 
JJewark,  passing  the  bounds  of  just  retaliation,  they  were 
to  be  attributed  to  the  influence  of  irritated  passions,  on 
the  part  of  the  unfortunate  sufferers  by  that  event." 

The  difference  of  the  principles,  on  which  the  war  was 
carried  on  by  the  Americans  and  by  the  British,,  is  very 
«trikin^:  the  fir^t,  uuiforndy-  disavowed  the  system  oif 
retaliation  for  the  outrages  committed  by  the  British  ofiS.- 
cers,  considering  them  unauthorised  until  expressly  ac- 
knowledged by  the  British  government :  on  the  contra- 
ry, tiie  British  proceeded  at  once  to  retaliate,  with6^t 
waiting  to  inquire  whether  the  violation  of  the  lawat(f 
war  was  disapproved  or  sanctioned.  Had  the  Americans 
pior^eded  upon  ^le  same  principles  as  their  enemies^  the 
burning  of  NewOTk  would  have  been  amply  justified,  by 
the  outrages  wantonly  committed  on  Lake  Champlaia 
and  on  the  sea-board,  without  any  pretext.  So  strictly 
(lid  our  government  adhere  to  tliis  principle,  that  shortly 
after  the  massacre  and  contiagratiun  ot  the  village  of 
Hampton  when  the  captain  of  an  Ameaican  privateer 
destroyed  some  private  property  in  the  West-Indies,  on 
the  score  of  retaliation,  hia  commission  was  instantly 


2tS 


HISTORY  OP  THE  WAR. 


t&ken  from  him,  and  the  act  publickl;^  disapproved.  Tlie 
high  sense  of  honourable  warfare,  discovered  by  our  go- 
verninent,  was  very  remarkable.  Our  humane  treat- 
ment to  British  prisoners,  was  acknowledged  by  Lord 
Castlereauh  in  the  house  of  commons,  but  meanly  attri- 
buted by  Tiim  to  fear !  We  have  certainly  not  showa 
ourselves  afraid  to  fight,  either  on  the  ocean  or  on  the 
land,  our  fear  then  has  been  that  of  doing  injustice. 

Sir  George  Prevost,  however,  did  not  wait  for  the  dis- 
avowal of  tlie  American  government;  he  had  already  in. 
flicted  a  retaliation  sufficient  to  satisfy  the  vengeance  of 
the  fiercest  enemy.  At  day-light  on  the  nineteenth  of 
December,  F(>it  JJiagafa  was  surprise!  by  colonel  Murl: 
ray,  with  about  four  hundred  men,  and  the  garrison,  nearv 
ly  three  hundred  in  number,  and  principally  invalids^ 
was  put  to  the  sword ;  not  more  than  twenty  being  abU 
to  escape.  The  commanding  otficer,  captain  Leonard, 
appears  to  have  been  shamefully  negligent,  or  perhaps 
bought  by  the  enemy  ;  he  was  absent  at  tlie  time^  and  had 
used  no  precautions  against  an  assault.  Having  possess- 
ed themselves  of  this  place,  they  soon  after  increased 
their  force,  and  immediately  proceeded  to  tay  waste  the 
Niagara  frontier  with  fire  and  sword.  The  militia,  has- 
tily collected,  could  oppose  no  resistance. to  a  large  budv 
«f  British  regulars  and  seven  hundred  Indians.  A  spi- 
rited, but  unavailing  attempt  was  made  by  major  Ben. 
nett  to  defend  Lcwisiown ;  this  village,  together  with 
that  of  Manchester,  Young's-town,  and  the  Indian  viU 
lage  of  the  Tuscarroras,  were  speedily  reduced  to  ashes, 
and  many  of  the  inhabitants  butchered.  Major  Mellory 
advanced  from  Shlosser,  to  oppose  the  invaders,  but  was 
compelled  by  superiour  numbers  to  re^jfiftt.  On  the  thir« 
tieth,  a  detachment  landed  at  Black  RotIc,  and  proceed- 
ed to  Buftaloe ;  general  Hall  had  organised  a  hpdy  of  mi- 
litia,  but  on  the  approach  of  the  enemy,  the J^  could  not 
be  iitduced  to  hold  their  ground.  Great  %^<ertions  were 
made  by  majors  Staunton  and  Norton,  and  lieutenant 
Kiddle,  but  to  no  purpose.  The  village  was  soon  after 
reduced  to  ashes,  and  the  whole  frontier,  for  many  miles, 
exhibited  ft  Bceae  of  ruin  and  devastation.    Here  m^ 


HISTORY  OF  THE  WAR. 


m 


indeed  ample  vengeance  for    the  burning  of  Newark. 
Sven  the  British  genera!  was  satisfied,  aa  appears  by  his 
proclamation  of  the  twelfth  of  January  :    <*  the  oppor- 
Uity  of  punishment  has  occurred,   and  a  full  measurt 
tf  retribution  has  taken  place  .**'   and  he  declared  his  in* 
tentioD  of  <'  pursuing  no  further  a  system  of  warfare  so 
revolting  to  his  own  feelings,  and  so  little  congenial  to 
ihe  British  character*"    It  may  be  well  to  ask,  whether 
Ihe  conflaerations  aiid  pillaging  antecedently  committed 
onLakeCnamplain,  and  the  horrid  outrages  m  the  Chesa- 
peake, in  the  course  of  the  summer,  were  also  in  retalia*^ 
iion  for  the  burning  of  Newark  f    Certain  it  is-  that  thia 
llfiair  not  only  produced  afiiicipakd  re^HsXion,  but  was 
r,followed  up  by  aubsenuent  retaliatory  measures  withinsa- 
['tiate  vengeance.     The  devastating  decree  of  admiral 
Itochrane  wi|s  founded  in  part  on  the  affair  of  Newark*. 
f|Qd  the  groundless  charge  of  burning  a  brick  house  in 
TUpper  Canada*  in  which  the  Americans  found  a  human 
[scalp.     li  was  not  enough  that  the  burning  of  thisun- 
Tfortanate  village  should  have  been  reprobated  and  disa- 
Towed  by  our  government;  it  was  not  enough  that  it 
diould  be  expiaibed  by  an  extensive,  scene  of  murder  and 
conflagration)  which  according  to  the  admission  of  Sir 
George  Prevoat»  amply  gluttea  the  vengeance  of  Britain  i 
but  our  extensive  sea-coast  of  fifteen  hundred  miles,  and 
our  populous  and  flourishing  cities,  must  be^ivento.de" 
itractionand  pillage,  to  fill  up  the  measure  ot  British  re- 
taliation.   These  things  will,  hoivever^  be  detailed  in 
tke  proper  place;  but  it  is  difficult  to  avoid  anticipa:tin||; 
exents  so  closely  connected  with  the  pre^eut. 


m 


HISTORY  OF  THE  WAR. 


CHAPTER  XH; 

Meeting  of  CongresSf  and  violence  of  party  spirit-^jiifn.. 
suresfor  carrying  on  the  war—  Unfriendly  deportmetiA 
of  the  JSTew  England  states — The  subject  of  retaliaA 
tion — Ji  t  wimittee  of  congress  inquires  into  the  vm-i 
ner  in  which  the  war'has  been  carried  on  by  theenemji'^A 
2^he  war  gaining  ground  in  the  United  titates, 

(js  the  sixth  of  December,  the  cpngress  of  the  United] 
states  again  assembled.    The  fever  of  party  spirit  ijsd 
ftlmost  reached  its  crisis,  and  the  debates  which  took, 
place  were  more  distinguished  for  virulent  animosity] 
than  had  been  witnessed  since  the  foundation  of  our  go.| 
yernment     It  would  be  improper  to  enter  minutely  int»' 
a  subject,  which  had  better  be  forgotten,  at  any  rate ;  boL 
in  this  simple  narrative  of  the  events  of  the  war,  there  ii] 
scarcely  room  for  such  a  discussion.    On  the  one  sideJ 
we  find  the  opposition  accused  of  manifesting  a  spirit  of] 
hostility  to  fneir  country,  and  a  determined  oppositiuii| 
to^  every  measure  for  carrying  on  the  war,  altnough  at] 
this  time,  from  the  peremptory  rejection  of  the  Russiaal 
mediation,  there  existed  no  hopes  of  peace.    On  theotii*] 
•r  hand,  the  party  in  power  was  accused  of  having  ruin'] 
ed  tlie  country,  destroyed  its  commerce,  involved  it  in  I 
debts  which  it  could  never  pay,  and  of  being  engaged  in  I 
a  guilty  project  of  conquest,  under  the  pretext  of  vindi. 
eating  national  rights.  Every  measure  with  respect  to  the] 
war,  was  sure  to  involve.in  it  a  consideration  of  its  causes, 
and  the  same  discussions  were  renewed  until  they  grew 
stale  by  repetition.    The  opposition  to  every  measure  pro-] 
posed  for  the  prosecution  of  hostilities,  turned  upon  the  I 
injustice  and  wickedness  of  the  war,  topicks  which  ought 
to  have  been  at  an  end  when  once  declared.    By  some  it 
was  denied  that  any  cause  of  war  existed,  and  by  others, 
that  although  we  had  cause,  the  time  chosen  fur  duclar| 
in^  it  was  improper.    Notwithstanding  the  warm  and 


HISTORY  OF  TFIE  WAR. 


«iy 


often  intemperate  debates,  to  which  these  subjects  gave 
rise,  the  dJflTerent  measures  in  support  of  the  war  conti- 
nued to  be  carried  by  large  majorities.     In  some  of  the 
jjietv  1.  igland  stites,  the  opposition  was  carried  on  in  a 
dritof  animosity,  which  occasioned  a  serious  regret  in 
i(e  breasts  of  the  more  considerate.    It  was  there  not 
cdofined  to  the  administration,  but  was  directed  against 
t\f.  Federal  Constitution  itself.    They  now  discovered 
Uiat  thi^  instrument  was  not  calculated  to  insure  their 
happiaess,  and  their  conduct  wan  such  as  to  lead  Great 
Jrliaih  to  believe,  that  they  were  ripe  for  a  separation. 
jhese  sentiments  did  toot,  by  any  means^  meet  the  con- 
^  frence  of  the  opposition  party  in  other  parts  of  the  Unit- 
States,  and  certainly  not  of  the  great  mass  of  the 
ilation  of  the  states  where  they  were  expressed.    The 
sure  of  the  embargo,  which  was  about  this  time  adopt- 
and  the  non-intercourse,  it  was  said,  was  infinitely 
Ire  severe  on  the  people  of  New  England,  than  on  the 
Ithern  districts ;  and  the  administration  was  accused 
(jMrtiality.    It  was  alleged  in  reply,  that  the  smuggling 
I  the  Canada  lines,  ana  the  trade  from  the  northern 
s,  by  the  connivance  of  the  British,  was  carried  on 
Isuch  an  extent  as  almost  to  put  the  government  at  de- 
nce ;  that  tlie  British  squadron,   which  had  so  much 
irrassed  the  southern  coasts,  had  been  in  a  great  mua* 
bre  supplied  to  the  northward,  and  that  without  such  as- 
itance  it  would  be  difficult  for  them  to  remain  on  our 

the  war  had  hltlierto  been  supported  by  means  of 
ms  J  as  the  only  resources  of  the  government,  from  the 
lie  of  publick  lands  and  imposts,  were  altogether  inade- 
jnate;  and  it  was  now  beginning  to  be  seen,  that  even  as 
nesecuiitv  upon  which  to  support  a  credit,  these  were 
psufficiQnt.  It  was  therefore  proposed  to  create  an  in- 
Krnal  revenue.  This,  it  may  be  said,  ought  to  have  been 
«<!val  with  the  war ;  but  the  unwillingness  of  the  people 
lo  submit  to  taxation,  had  already  been  seen  $  it  was 
llicrefure  the  wish  of  the  administration  to  avoid  this  m 
ong  as  possible.  At  the  declaration  of  war,  it  was  be- 
eved  tliat  England  would  be  satisfied  with  oar  having  tHe 


.1* 


316 


HISTORY  OlF  TftE  WAH. 


alMlity  to  declare  it,  without  waiting  to  ascertain  whether 
we  could  carry  it  on.    The  proposals  for  a  cessation  of 
hostilities,  and  the  Russian  mediation,  kept  up  the  hopeg 
of  peace  for  a  considerahle  time  ;  hieasures  oisagreeable 
to  the  people  were  therefore  delayed  until  unavoidable 
or  rather  until  called  for  by  themselves.    The  expenses  i 
of  tiie  Mrar  had  also  unexpectedly  increased,  from  the 
unlooked  for  reverses  of  our  arms  to  the  westward,  vhich 
rendered  it  necessary  to  create  fleets  on  the  lakes ;  and  in 
consequence  of  the  unwillingness  of  the  New  England 
people  to  join  heartily  in  its  prosecution.     Had  we  pQji.| 
sessed  ourselves  of  Upper  Canada,  there  is  very  httle] 
doubt  but  that  wc  shoulci  have  had  peace  the  first  year  of] 
the  war ;  and  it  was  not  until  she  discovered  our  weak'] 
ness  in  that  quarter,  that  England  rejected  the  mediationJ 
in  hopes  of  being  able  to  inflict  upon  us  some  serious  in*] 
jury.    Not  that  the  loss  of  Canada  would  have  been  al 
matter  of  so  much  consequence  to  Great  Britain,  but  it] 
would  have  furnished  her  with  a  conclusive  proof,  thatl 
she  could  have  no  hope  of  severing  the  union  by  sowingl 
dissensions  between  the  different  states.    The  v|ist  ex*| 
pense  vhich  we  had  to  incur  on  the  lakes^  and  on  ^el 
Canadian  frontier,  could  not  have  been  easily  foreseen.  | 
The  next  tiling  with  which  the  national  legislature  oc*[ 
copied  itself,  was  the  providing  some  means  of  filling  thej 
ranks  of  the  army.    The  difficulty  of  enlisting  men  hadj 
been  found  to  increase,  and  was  even  an  argument  in  use,] 
to  prove  that  the  war  was  not  popular.   But  this  could  bej 
easily  accounted  for,  from  the  unwillingness  of  men,] 
without  being  urged  by  their  necessities,  to  enter  into  al 
positive  engagement  to  serve  as  common  soldiers  for  tl 
number  of  years.    The  station  of  an  enlisted  soldierJ 
from  our  lon^  state  of  peace,  had  beside  grown  into  digJ 
repute ;  hardly  any  but  the  most  worthless  could,  be  preJ 
vatled  upon  to  enlist.    The  farmer's  sons,  and  the  joungl 
mechanicks,  were  willing  enough  to  engage  as  volunteersJ 
or  to  turn  out  on  a  tour  of  militia  iluty,  but  it  was  a  verjl 
difficult  matter  to  induce  them  to    enter  into  engage*! 
ments  which  they  regarded  as  disreputable.    It  woaidl 
naturally  T^oire  i^ .considerable  lengb  of  time;  before 


HISTORY  OP  THE  WAR. 


Sir 


ll^s  opinion  could  be  aubdued.  The  profession  of  the 
tommon  soldier  during  our  long  peace,  and  on  account  of 
the  inconsiderable  force  kept  on  foot,  had  sunk  very  low 
in  the  estimation  of  the  people :  an  enlisted  soldier,  was 
I  almost  proverbial  of  a  lazy  worthless  fellow.  The  only 
mode  of  combating  this  aversion,  was  the  offering  of  extra-* 
vacant  bounties,  not  so  much  with  a  view  to  hold  out  A 
^t  to  the  cupidity  of  individuals,  as  to  furnish  them 
jnith  an  excuse,  and  to  overcome  the  popular  prejudice 
Lminst  this  mode  of  serving  the  country.  An  idea  was 
ifgo  prevalent,  that  the  obligations  of  the  enlisted  soldier 
created  a  species  of  slavery  $  at  least,  were  incompatible 
vith  republican  freedom ;  this  was  sufficient  to  prevent 
}  great  number  of  spirited  and  enterprising  youn^  men 
Ifrom  entering  the  army.  A  law  was  passed  during  the 
Ijession,  increasing  the  pay  of  privates,  and  giving  them 
lliounties  in  money  and  lands,  to  a  considerable  amount. 
iThis,  it  was  confidently  hoped,  would  produce  the  desir* 
ltd  eflfect. 

About  this  time  a  very  interesting  subject  was  submit- 
Ited  to  tlie  consideration  of  congress.  Twenty -three 
lAinerican  soldiers,  taken  at  the  oattle  of  Queenstown, 
lin  the  autumn  of  1812,  were  detained  in  close  con- 
Ifinement  as  British  subjects ;  and  sent  to  England  to  un- 
Idergo  a  trial  for  treason.  On  this  being  made  known  to 
lour  government,  orders  were  given  to  general  Dearborne 
Kfl  confine  a  like  number  of  British  prisoners  taken  at 
font  George,  and  to  keep  them  as  hostages  for  the  safety 
pf  the  Americans  $  which  was  carried  into  etfect,  and 

ion  after  made  known  to  the  governour  of  Canada.  The 
British  government  was  no  sooner  informed  of  this,  than 
^rernour  Prevost  was  ordered  to  place  forty-six  Ameri- 
an  officers  and  non-commissionea  officers  in  confine* 
nent,  to  insure  the  safety  of  the  British  soldiers.  Go* 
kernour  Prevost,  in  his  letter  to  general  Wilkinson  upon 
m  subject,  stated,  that  he  had  been  directed  to  apprise 
m,  that  if  any  of  the  British  prisoners  should  suffer 
U,  in  consequence  of  any  of  the  American  soldiers 
king  found  guilty,  and  the  known  law  of  Great  Britain 
m  of  every  other  cQuntry  in  similar  circumstances 

19 


«18 


HISTORY  OF  THE  WAR. 


executed,  double  the  number  of  American  officers  and 
non-commissioned  officers,  should  suffer  instant  death: 
he  further  notified  the  general,  for  the  information  of  the  I 
American  government,  that  orders  had  been  given  to  the 
British  commanders  to  prosecute  the  war  with  unmitigatJ 
ed  severity,  if,  after  tnis  notice,  the  American  guvernJ 
ment  should  unhappily  not  be  deterred  from  puttin?  to 
death  any  of  the  British  soldiers  now  in  confinement. 
General  VViikinson,  in  his  reply,  forbore  to  animadvert 
on  the  nature  of  the  procedure,  but  could  not  help  ex.l 
pressing  his  surprise  at  the  threat  by  which  the  Britishl 
government  supposed  the  United  States  could  be  awed] 
into  submission.  **  The  government  of  the  United  States,'*! 
said  he,  **  cannot  be  deterred  by  any  consideration  of] 
life  or  death,  of  depredation  or  confla";ration,  frum  the! 
faithful  discharge  of  its  duty  towards  the  vVmerican  peoJ 
pie."  The  arrogance  and  haughtiness  of  Britain,  in  holdJ 
ing  this  language,  justly  extited  the  indignation  of  everyl 
American ;  this  language  might  be  addressed  to  the  roiJ 
serabie  nations  of  Asia,  upon  whom  she  has  been  in  the] 
habit  of  practising  every  species  of  lawless  violence;  bu^ 
when  addressed  to  a  people  who  are  proud  of  their  inde] 
pendence,  and  jealous  of  their  national  honour,  whiclJ 
every  individual  feels  as  his  own,  so  far  from  intimidatinM 
it  was  only  calculated  to  awaken  resistance.    Generall 
Wilkinson  soon  after  informed  governour  Prevost,  thatJ 
in  consequence  of  orders  he  had  receiv  ^^  from  his  go. 
vernment,  he  had  put  forty-six  British  (>fli.ers  in  confine-| 
ment,  to  be  detained  untd  it  should  be  known  that  the 
American  officers  were  released.    On  the  receipt  of 
infunnatiun,  the  governour  ordered  all  the  American  pri'l 
^■f  i?rs  into  close  continenient,  and  a  simUar  step  was  sooo 
a(ter  taken  by  our  government. 

This  interesting  subject  gave  rise  to  warm  debates  io 
congress.  One  party  insisting  that  Great  Britain  had  a 
right  to  her  subjects,  in  ail  situations  ani  under  all  cir^ 
cumstances ;  that  tliey  were  in  fact  her  property,  and 
without  her  consent  they  never  could  free  ihemselve 
from  her  authority ;  they  contended  further,  that  ma 
cannot  divest  himself  ut  allegiance  to  the  goveromenti 


HISTORY  OF  THE  WAR. 


ftl9 


9r  prince,  of  the  country  in  which  he  happens  to  be  born : 
that  although  he  may  leave  the  country  of  his  birth  for  a 
time)  he  never  can  expatriate  himself.  The  procedure 
ttf  the  government  was  condemned  in  attempting  to  op- 
pose the  British,  in  punishinj^  the  natives  of  Great  Bri- 
tain, who  have  been  naturalized  in  this  country,  and 
liave  taken  up  arms  in  its  cause  ;  tiiat  their  bavins;  resid- 
ed amongst  us  ten  years,  or  twenty  years  before  the  war, 
is  immaterial,  they  must  be  regarded  in  the  same  light 
IS  deserters  from  her  armies.  It  was  answered  on  tiie 
other  side,  that  it  ill  became  Americans  to  deny  the  right 
of  expatmtion  on  principle,  however  we  might  from  ne- 
cessity yield  to  the  unjust  laws  of  other  nations,  where 
(he individual  is  regarded  as  a  slave;  for  he  that  has  an 
(iwner  whom  he  cannot  change,  is  indeed  a  slave.  Can  it 
be  possible,  it  was  asked,  for  an  American  t{>  contend  on 
principle,  that  a  free  man  cannot  change  his  allegiance,  and 
ittach  himself  to  the  country  of  his  choice,  but  must 
drag  a  diain  after  him  at  every  remove  ?  This  doctrine 
could  only  originate  in  that  species  of  slavery,  called  the 
feudal  system,  or  under  an  absolute  despot,  wha considers 
Ms  subjects  as  without  any  rights.  The  doctrine  indeed 
is  closely  allied  to  that  of  the  divine  right  of  kings,  or 
rather  oi  legitimate  sovereigns;  for,  according  to  some 
individuals,  even  in  this  country,  no  government  is  law- 
ful unless  it  exists  in  the  hands  of  some  one  who  claims 
it  by  birth-right ;  at  least,  that  this  is  the  only  just  foun- 
dation of  European  governments.  Whatever  may  exist 
in  other  nations,  and  beyond  our  control,  we  ought 
never  to  forget,  that  such  a  state  arises  from  their  cor- 
ruption or  weakness,  and  that  we  ought  sincerely  to  wish 
with  tiie  great  Washington,  in  his  farewell  address,  that 
they  could  be  altogether  as  we  are.  If  we  ought  not  to  re- 
probate their  systems,  Lt  us  view  them  with  compassion; 
out  how  can  we  admli-e  them,  without  at  the  same  time 
despising  uur  own  nithle  institutions  !  The  principle  of 
American  liberty  is,  that  no  man  is  born  a  slave,  and  that 
allegiance  is  a  matter  of  clioice,  not  force ;  and  however 
we  might  unavoidably  give  way,  where  we  interfered 
m\h  the  slavish  practices  of  other  nations,  we  ought 


a&fo..:.-. 


230 


HISTORY  OF  TilE  WA1«. 


never  to  approve  the  principle.    But,  it  was  contended 

that  according  to  the  law  of  nations  and  their  uniform 

practice,   the  right  of  expatriation  was  acknowled'^ed. 

Numerous  instances  were  cited,  where  the  subjects  of  a 

joation  were  taken  in  arms  against  her,  and  regularly  ex* 

changed ;  the  practice  of  Great  Britain  in  naturalizing  fo. 

reigners  was  cited,  by  which  they  were  placed  on  the  same 

footing  with  her  native  citizens,  and  equally  entitled  to 

protection.    She  could  not  object  to  our  practice  of  na« 

turalizing  her  subjects,  for  she  practised  the  same  thing 

with  respect  to  our  citizens,  unless  indeed  it  be  contend* 

ed,  tliat  every  thing  she  does  is  lawfbl,  while  the  same 

thing  in  another  would  be  unlawful  ?    Would  she  nofc 

think  herself  bound  to  protect  her  adopted  subjects, 

whom  she  solemnly  undertakes  to  protect  against  all  the 

world,  without  exception  P    If  the  United  States  alone 

naturalized  foreigners,  the  case  might  then  rest  on  its 

principles ;  but  wnen  the  same  thing  is  practised  every 

where,  who  has  a  right  to  complain  ?    A  case  in  point 

was  adduced,  to  shew  the  practice  of  the  British  govern^ 

ment,  were  she  was  differently  situated ;  having  engag> 

ed   in  her  service  a  regiment  of  French  emigrants,  to 

serve  against  France,  the  question  was  agitated  in  the  house 

of  commons,  whether  they  should  proceed  to  retaliate, 

in  case  the  French  should  put  any  oi  them  to  death,  and 

it  was  agreed  that  such  would  have  been  their  duty. 

They  went  much  further  than  the  American  government: 

Lord  Mulgrave  declared  in  debate,  that,  ''  while  he  had 

the  command  of  the  British  troops  at  Toulon,  and  the 

French,  who  voluntarily  flocked  to  theij  standard,  under 

the  authority  and  invitation  of  his  majesty's  proclama* 

tion,  he  had  always  considered  the  latter  as  entitled  to 

the  same  protection  in  every  respect,  as  the  British  troops.*' 

Thus  it  appears,  that  both  in  principle  and  practice,  the 

conduct  of  Great  Britain  has  been  similar  to  that  of  the 

United  States. 

The  result  of  this  debate  was,  a  determination  to 
maintain  with  firmness  the  position  which  the  adminis- 
tration had  taken  ;  and  if  Great  Britain  persisted  in  the 
fell  resolution  of  rendering  the  wj^r  blojody  beyond  th^ 


HISTORY  OF  THE  WAR. 


2Zi 


example  of  Jftodern  tiroes,  as  they  had  already  rendered 
it  most  barbarous  and  ferocious,  the  United  States  must 
reluctantly  pursue  a  course  to  be  lamented  by  every  man 
of  common  humanity. 

Somewhat  connected  with  this,  an  investii^ation  was  set 
oufoot,  as  to  the  spirit  and  manner  in  whicli  the  war  had 
I  been  carried  on  by  the  enemy.     The  report  of  the  com- 
[inittee  enumerated  the  various  instances,  in  which  the 
British  military  a)id  naval  officers  had  violated  all  the 
known  usages  of  civilized  nations,  in  the  manner  of  con- 
I  ducting  the  war  against  the  United  States.  The  massacres 
oD  the  Rivef*  Raisin,  the  depredations  and  conflagrations 
on  the  lakes,  before  there  existed  any  pretext  for  retalia- 
tion, and  the  barbarous  warfare  of  the  sea  coast,  were  spo* 
ken  of  in  the  strongest  terms  of  indignation.  The  war  had 
been  conducted,  on  the  part  of  Great  Britain,  nearly  in 
thes^ame  spirit,  as  at  the  commencement  of  our  struggle 
I  for  independence  ;  she  appeared  to  be  actuated  by  a  be- 
I  lief  that  she  was  chastising  rebellious  subjects,"and  not 
contending  with  an  independent  nation.     The  treatment 
of  American  prisoners  was  the  most  cruel  that  can  be 
I  imagined ;  the  horrours  of  the  prison  ships  were  renewed ; 
several  hundred  unhappy  wretches  were  shut  up,  without 
light  or  air,  in  the  holds  of  the  ships,  and   were  in  this 
wanner  transported  across  the  Atlantic  ;  stowed  togeth- 
er in  the  manner  practised  towards  the  miserable  Afri- 
cans, by  those  engaged  in  the  slave  trade.    In  this  cruel 
I  and  unnecessary  transportation  across  the  Atlantic,  many 
!  of  our  countrymen  perished  tor  want  of  air  and  nourish- 
ment, and  all  experienced  sufferings  almost  incredible. 
I  This  treatment  was  contrasted  with  that  received  by  the 
[British  prisoners  in  this  country  $  in  fact  they  were  treat- 
i  ed  more  like  guests  than  prisoners.^     The  committee  de- 
I  dared  itself  satisfied,  from  the  evidence  submitted  to  it, 
that  Great  Britain  had  violated  the  laws  of  war,  in  the 
most  flagrant  manner  ;  and  submitted  to  congress  the  pro^ 
priety  ol  devising  some  mode  of  putting  a  stop  to  sucli 
disgraceful  conduct.     Amongst  the  most  extraordinary 
of  the  enemy's  acts,  was  the  putting  in  close  confinement 
ibe  unfortunate  Americans,  who  had  been  kidnapped  by. 

19* 


^2^22. 


HISTORY  OF  THE  WAR. 


her  before  the  war,  and  compelled  to  fight  her  battle.^, 
Mout  two  thousand  were  acknowledged  to  be  Americans' 
and,  on  refusing  to  fight  agatiist  their  country,  were  com- 
pelled to  undergo  the  same  treatment  as  if  they  had  been 
prisoners  of  war.  This  was,  indeed,  accumulating  cut- 
raee  upon  outrage. 

It  were  well  it  this  had  been  the  whole  number  in  her 
service  ;  on  the  contrary,  there  was  every  reason  to  be- 
lieve, that  by  far  the  greater  'part  were  still  compelled 
to  obey  the  oncers  who  had  enslaved  them,  under  the 
pretence  that  diey  were  not  Americans.  Had  we  tame- 
ly submitted  under  such  a  grievance,  we  indeed  deserv- 1 
ed  to  be  the  slaves  of  George  the  third,  of  Napoleon,  or 
any  other  monarch,  and  our  posterity  would  have  blush- { 
ed  to  be  called  Americans. 

It  has  been  mentioned,  that  Great  Britain  had  declin'l 
ed  the  Russian  mediation,  under  the  flimsy  pretext  of 
being  unwilling  to  submit  her  rights  to  the  decision  of  an 
umpire,  although  nothing  of  tne  kind  was  proposed,  the| 
interference  of  the  Empcrour  of  Russia  extending  noi 
fiirther  than  bringing  the  parties  together.    The  Prince  I 
Regent,  however,  onered  a  direct  negociation  at  Lou- 
don or  Gottenburg;   this  was  no  sooner  made  known! 
to  our  government,  than  accepted  ;  and  in  addition  to 
the  commissioners  who  were  already  in  Europe,  under 
the  Russian  mediation,  the  president  nominated  Henry! 
Clay,  Jonathan  Russel,  and    Albert    Gallatin,  as  com-j 
missioners  of  peace,  and  who  soon  after  lell  this  coun- 
try for  Gottenburg.    Little  more  was  expected,  however,] 
from  this,    than  to   shew  the  sincerity    of  the    United 
States,   in  desiring  peace;    but  the  conduct  of  Great 
Britain  already  proved,  that  her  only  wish  was  to  keep 
open  a  door  for  a  treaty  of  peace,  when  necessity  should 
compel  hor  to  assent   to  it.     Subsequent  transactions 
sufticiently  prove,  that   her  rejection    of  thq    Hussianj 
snedialion  was  a  pitiful  excuse  for  delay. 

Notwithstanding  the  intemperate  opposition  on  the! 
floor  of  c.«n|i;re8s,  the  war  was  evidently  gaining  ground; 
the  conduct  of  the  enemy,  in  the  prosecution  of  hostili- 
ties^  was  such  as  tu  awaken  the  iigdiags  of  evci  ^  Aureri^ 


HISTORY  OF  THE  WAR. 


22S 


can;  and  the  rejection  of  the  Russian  mediation  stagger- 
ed many,  who  confidently  predicted  its  prompt  accept- 
jnce.     The  victories,  which  we  had  obtained    at  sea, 
came  home  to  the  feelings  of  the  whole  nation,  and  were 
claimed  exclusively  by  the  opposition,  as  having  always 
been  the  best  friends  of  the  navy.     The  British  actually 
complained,  that  those  whom  ane  considered  her  friends 
ill  America,  should  rejoice  in  her  misfortunes  ;  and  ac- 
cused them  of  faithlessness  and  inconstancy,  because 
they  permitted  their  love  of  country  to  overcome  their 
hatred  for  the  men  in  power.    But  this  was  a  delightful 
proof  of  nationality,  such  as  might  have  been  expected 
from  Britain  herself,  or  from  France,  though  not  from  a 
Bation  so  recently  composed  of  independent  jarring  states, 
not  yet  perfectly  cemented.     It  becomes  every  virtuous 
man  to  rejoice  in  the  good  fortune  of  his  country,  how- 
ever he  may  dislike  the  present  rulers.    This  sentiment 
was  gradually  {gaining  ground  ;  the  warlike  appearances 
every  where  displayed,  interested  the   ardent  minds  of 
^  ^e  younj|  and  enterprising,  and  the  feats  of  arms  daily 
^  recounted,  awakened   the  desire  of  being  distinguished. 
The  contagion  of  military  pursuit-  was  rapidly  spreading; 
The  habits  of  a  people, ,  who  had  been  thirty  years  at 
peace,  and  constantly  occupied  in  their  industrious  avo* 
catiuns,  could  not  be  changed  suddenly.    But  man  is 
every  wiiere  by  nature  warlike,  and  he  cannot  exist  long 
in  the  midst  oi  martial  scenes  and  preparations,  without 
catching  their  spirit.    It  would  not  h&ve  been  difficult  to 
predict,  that  the  foreign  enemy,  which  was  at  first  regard* 
ed  only  as  the  enemy  of  a  party,  would  soon  become  the 
enemy  of  the  country. 


224 


HISTORY  OF  THE  WAR; 


CHAPTER  Xm. 

Tlie  Southern  war — Massacre  of  fort  Mim^^ExpediWin 
of  general  Jackson,  and  general  Cocke — Battle  of  Tal- 
iedega — Indians  surprised  by  general  Cocke — Expedi- 
tion nf  general  Floyd—^-Critical  situation  of  generul 
Jackson — Defeat  of  the  Indians — The  Creeks  tuUdh 
defeated  at  the  Horseshoe-bend — Creneral  Jackson  ier.\ 
minutes  the  Creek,  war,  and  dictates  a  peace, 

OvR  affairs  to  the  southward,  the  reader  will  recollect) 
had  assumed  a  serious  aspect,  and  no  sooner  had  the  I 
Northern  armies  retired  into  winter  (Quarters,  than  the 
publick  attention  was  kept  alive,  by  the  interesting  events  j 
which  transpired  in  the  country  of  the  Creeks,  during  j 
the  winter.  That  ill-fated  people  had  at  length  declareaj 
open  war. 

In  consequence  (»f  the  threatening  appearances  to  the  j 
South,  and  the  hostilities  which  already  prevailed  witii, 
the  Indians  inhabiting  the  Spanish  territory,  governour 
Mitchell,  of  Georgia,  was  required  by  the  secretary  at 
war,  to  detach  a  brigade  to  the  Oakmulgee  river,  for  the  | 
purpose  ()f  covering  the  frontier  settlements  of  that  state, 
ijovernour  Holmes,  of  the  Mississippi  territory,  was  at  the  j 
same  time  ordered  to  join  a  body  of  militia  to  the  volun*| 
teers  under  general  Claiborne,  then  stationed  on  the  Mo* 
bile.     In  the  course  of  the  summer,  the  settlers  in  the 
vicinity  of  that  river,  became  so  much  alarmed  from  the 
hostile  deportment  of  the  Creeks,  that  the  greater  part 
abandoned  their  plantations,  and  sought  refuge  in  the 
different  forts ;  while  the  peace  party  amongst  the  ('reeks,! 
had,  in  some  places,  shut  themselves  up  in  forts,  and  were] 
besieged  by  their  countrymen. 

The  commencement  of  hostilities  was  witnessed  byj 
one  of  the  most  siiocking  massacres,  that  can  be  found  inl 
the  history  of  our  Indian  wars.  The  settlers,  from  an  I 
imperfect  idea  of  their  danger,  had  adopted  an  en-oneousl 


IHSTORY  OF  THE  AVAR. 


225 


i^ode  of  defence,  by  throwing  themselves  into  small  forts 
or  stations,  at  great  distances  from. each  other,  on  the 
various  branches  of  the  Mobile.     Early  in  August  it  was 
iscertained,  that  the  Indians  intended  to  make  an  attack 
I  upon  all  these  stations,  and  destroy  them  in  detail.    The 
irst  place  which  they  would  attempt,  would  probably  be 
iirt  MimS)  in  which  the  greatest  number  of  families  had 
lieen  collected.    Towards  the  latter  part  of  August,  infor- 
nation  was  brought  that  the  Indians  were  about  to  make  an 
attack  on  this  post,  but  unfortunately  too  little  attention 
Ifftspaid  to  the  warning.  During  the  momentary  continu- 
laoceof  the  alarm,  some  preparations  were  made  for  de- 
jlltDce,  but  it  seems  that  it  was  almost  impossible  to  rouse 
l^em  from  their  unfortunate  disbelief  of  the  proxiniity  of 
[tlieir danger.   The  fort  was  commanded  by  major  Beaslj^, 
|lf  the  Mississippi  territory^  (a  brave  officer,  and  as  a  pri- 
Inte  citizen  hignly  respected,)  with  about  a  hundred  vo- 
liuiteers  under  his  command.    By  some  fatality,  notwith- 
nding  the  warnings  he  iiad  received,  he  was  not  suffi- 
LieDtly  on  his  guard,  and  suffered  himself  to  be  surprised 
\n  the  thirtieth,  at  neon-day.    The  centinel  had  scarcely 
ime  to  notify  the  approach  of  the  Indians,  when  they 
sshed,  with  a  dreadtul  yell,  towards  the  ^:itc,  wliich  wft& 
iride  open  $  the  garrison  was  instantly  under  arms^  and 
be  ma^or  flew  towards  the  gate,  with  some  of  his  men,  in 
der  to  close  it,  and  if  possible  expel  the  enemy  ;  but 
soon  after  fell  mortally  wounded.     The  ^ate  was  at 
bogth  closed,  after  great  slaughter  on  both  sides  ;  but  a 
jminber  of  the  Indians  had  taken  possession  of  a  block- 
house, from  which  they  were  expelled,  after  a  bloody  con- 
st, by  captain  Jack.    The  assault  was  still  continued 
bran  hour,  on  the  outside  of  the  pickets  ;  the  port  holes 
jrere  several  times  carried  by  the  assailants,  and  retaken 
Ijf  those  within  the  fort. 

[The  Indians  now  for  a  moment  withdrew,  apparently 
lishcartened  by  their  loss,  but  on  being  harangued  by 
Tieir  chief  Weatherford,  they  returned  with  augmented 
pry  to  the  assault  |  having  procured  axes,  they  proceed- 
jd  to  cut  down  the  gate,  and  at  the  same  time  made  a 
Ireach  in  the  pickets^  and  possessing  themselves  of  the 


296 


HISTORY  OF  THE  WAR. 


area  of  the  fort,  compelled  the  hesieged  to  take  refu"e  m  i 
the  houses.     Here  they  made  a  gallant  resistance,  Imt  the  i 
Indians  at  length  setting  fire  to  the  roofe,  the  situation  uf  I 
these  unfortunate  people  became  altogether  hopeless.  T|ie| 
agonizing  shrieks  of  the  unfortunate  women  and  children! 
at  their  unhappy  fate,  would  have  awakened  pity  in  the! 
breasts  of  tygers;  it  is  only  by  those  who  have  sonief 
faint  idea  of  the  nature  of  Indian  warfare,  that  the  hor- 
rourof  their  situation  can  be  conceived.     The  terrourof! 
the  scene  had  already  been  sufficient  to  have  bereft  thciJ 
of  their  senses ;  but  what  heart  does  not  bleed  at  tlie  re*| 
cital  of  its  realities.     Not  a  soul  was  spared  by  these 
monsters ;  from  the  most  aged  person  to  the  youngest  inJ 
fant,  they  became  the  victim&  of  their  indiscriminate 
butchery  ;  and  maoy.,  to  avoid  a  worse  fate,  threw  them-j 
selves  into  the  flames  !     A  few  only  escaped  by  leapir 
over  the  pickets,  while  the  ^adians  were  engaged  in  thd 
work  of  massacre.     About  two  hundred  and  sixty  perJ 
sons  of  all  ages,  and  sexes,   thus  perished,  inciudins 
some  friendly  Indians,  arid  about  one  hundred  negroesJ 
The  panick  which  this  dreadful  catastrophe  excited  at  th 
other  posts,  can  scarcely  be  described  $  the  wretched  in^ 
lial)itant«,  fearlujr  a  similar  fate>  abandoned  their  retreat^ 
of  fancied  security  in  the  middle  of  the  night,  and  io 
their  endeavours  to  escape  to  Mobile>  encountered  everjr 
species  of  suffering.     Tne  dwellings  of  tiie  settlers,  proi 
bably  twice  as  numerous  as  the  whole  tribe  of  Crc«k8j 
were  burnt,  and  their  cattle  destroyed.     Savage  man  is 
little  better  than  a  wild  beast ;  it  is  unaccountable  howl 
some  feel  a  compassion  for  such  men,  and  can  regnid  un| 
moved  the  horrours  wrhich    they  habitually  peipetiat^ 
against  foes  of  every  kind.    Could  these  people  complain 
of  our  having  injured  them?    Never  was  there  afootol 
ground  taken  from  them ;  and  besides,  according  to 
own  account,  it  is  not   a  century  swice  they  possessed 
themselves  of  the  country,  by  extirpating  the  right  own j 
ers :  nothing  but  tlie  basest  ingratitude  could  have  actuj 
ated  them,  under  the  instigations  of  our  no  less-  crui!l| 
enemy. 


HISTORY  OF  THE  WAR. 


2^T 


On  the  receipt  of  this  disastrous  intelligence,  the  Ten- 
nessee militia,  under  the  orders  of  general  Jackson  and 
general  Cocke,  immediately  marched  to  the  country  of 
the  Creeks.  On  the  second  of  November  general  Cof- 
lee  wns  detached,  with  nine  hundred  men,  against  the  TaK 
inshatches  towns,  and  reached  the  place  about  day -light 
I  the  next  morning.  The  Indians,  apprised  of  his  approach,. 
vere  prepared  to  receive  him.  Within  a  short  distance 
of  the  village  the  enemy  charged  upon  him,  with  a  boid- 
I  gess  seldom  displayed  by  Indians.  They  were  repulsed, 
{nd  after  the  most  obstinate  resistance,  in  which  they 
would  receive  no  quarters,  they  were  slain  almost  to  a 
pan,  and  their  women  and  children  taken  prisoners. 
There  were  nearly  two  hundred  of  their  warriours  killed 
in  this  affair.  I'he  loss  of  the  Americans  was  five  killed 
ind  forty  wounded. 

1  Late  m  the  morning  of  the  seventh,  a  friendly  Indian 
brought  intelligence  to  general  Jackson,  that  about  thir- 
t?  miles  below  his  ^amp,  there  were  a  number  of  Creeks 
eollected  at  a  pla^je  called  Tallede^a,  where  they  were 
engaged  in  besieging  a  number  of  iriendly  Indians,  who 
must  inevitably  perish  unless  speedily  relieved.    This 
•fficer,  whose  resolutions  were  as  rapidly  executed  as  they 
were  formed,  marched  at  twelve  o'clock  the  same  night, 
tttheheadof  twelve  hundred  men,  and  arrived  witnin 
six  miles  of  the  place  the  next  evening.    At  midnight  he 
igain  advanced,  by  seven  o'clock  was  within  a  mile  of 
J  the  eueniy,  and  immediately  made  the  most  judicious 
Itrrangcments  for  surrounding  them.     Having  approach- 
led  in  this  manner   almost  unperceived,    within  eighty 
[yards  of  the  Indians,  the  battle  commenced  on  tlieir 
[part  with  great  fury,  but  being  repulsed  on  all  sides, 
Ithpy  attempted  to  make  their  escape,  but  soon  found 
tliemselves    enclosed ;    two    companies  having  at  first 
[given  way,  a  space  was  left  through  which  a  considera- 
Ible  number  of  the  enemy  escaped,  and  were  pursued  to 
tlie  mountains  with  great  slaughter.     In  this  action  the 
Aiuerican  loss   was  fifteen  killed  and  eighty  wounded. 
Tiiat  ot  the  Creeks  was  little  short  of  three  hundred | 
their  whole  force  exceeded  a  thousand. 


JtevriA    - 


S28 


HISTORY  OF  THE  WAR. 


General  Cocke,  who  commanded  the  other  division  of 
the  Tennessee  militia,  on  the  eleventh  detached  gene* 
ral  White  from  Fort  Armstrong,  where  he  was  encamp- 
ed, against  the  hostile  towns  on  tfie  Tallapoose  river. 
After  marching  the  whole  night  of  the  seventeenth,  he 
Burpriscd  a  town  at  day -light,  containing  upwards  ot'j 
three  hundred  warriours,  sixty  of  whom  were  killed  and 
the  rest  taken  prisoners.  Having  burnt  several  of  their 
villages  which  nad  been  deserted,  he  returned  on  the 
twenty -third,  without  losing  a  single  man. 

The  Georgia  militia,  under  general  Floyd,  advanced  i 
into  the  Creek  country,  about  the  last  of  the  month. 
Receiving  information  that  a  great  number  of  Indians! 
were  collected  at  the  Autossce  towns,  on  the  Tallapoose 
river,  a  place  which  they  called  their  beloved  grjund 
and  where,  according  to  their  prophets,  no  white  man 
could  molest  them,  general  Floyd,  placing  himself  at 
the  head  of  nine  hundred  militia,  and  four  hundred! 
friendly  Creeks,  marched  from  his  encampment  oii  the  I 
Chatahouchie.    On  the  evening  of  the  twenty -eighth,  hei 
encamped  within  ten  miles  of  the  place,  and  resuming 
his  march  at  one  o'clock,  reached  the  towns  about  six,  I 
and  commenced  an  attack  upon  both  at  the  same  mo^l 
ment.     His  troops  were  met  by  the  Indians  v?ith  uncom-  f 
tnon  bravery  5  and  it  was  not  until  after  an  obstinate  resist- 1 
ance,  that  ther  were  forced,  by  his  musketry  and  bayonets, 
to  fly  to  the  thickets  and  copses  in  the  rear  of  the  towns. 
In  the  course  of  three  hours  the  enemy  was  completely 
defeated,  and  the  villages  in  flames.     Eleven  Americans  I 
were  killed  and  fifty  wounded,  among  the  latter  the  ge.  I 
neral  himself:  of  the  enemy,  it  is  supposed  that,  besides 
the  Autossee  and  Tallassee  kings,  upwards  of.  two  hun* 
dred  were  killed. 

This  just  retribution,  it  was  hoped,  would  bring  these 
wretched  creatures  to  a  proper  sense  of  their  situations ; 
but  unfortunately  it  had  not  this  effect,  they  still  persist- 
ed in  their  hostilities  against  us.  In  the  month  of  De- 
cember, general  Claiborne  marched  a  detachment  against 
the  towns  of  Eccanachaca,  on  the  Alabama  river.  On  j 
the  twenty -second,  he  came  suddenly  upon  them,  killed 


♦^>^ 


HISTORY  OF  THE  WAR. 


£S9 


lliirtyof  their  warriours,  and  after  destroying  their  villa* 
ges,  returned  with  a  trifling  loss. 

After  the  battle  of  railedega}  general  Jackson  wa9 
left  with  but  a  handful  of  men,  in  consequence  of  the 
term  of  service  of  the  militia  having  expired.  On  the 
fourteenth  of  January  he  was  fortunately  reinforced  by 
eight  hundred  volunteers  from  Tennessee,  and  soon  after 
u  several  hundred  friendly  Indians.  He  was  also  join- 
ed by  general  Coft'ee  with  a  number  of.  officers,  his 
nititia  having  returned  home.  On  the  seventeenth,  with 
I  view  of  making  a  diversion  in  favour  of  general  Floyd, 
ind  at  the  same  time  of  relieving  Fort  Armstrong,  which 
I  was  said  to  be  threatened,  he  penetrated  the  Indian 
countrv.  On  the  evening  of  the  twenty  first,  believing 
hiinseir,  from  appearances,  in  the  vicinity  of  a  large  body 
of  Indians,  he  encamped  with  great  precaution, .  and 
placed  himself  in  the  best  attitude  of  defence.  Some 
time  in  the  night,  one  of  his  spies  brought  information 
that  he  had  seen  the  enemy  a  few  miles  oft,  and  from  their 
lieins  busily  en<^aged  in  sending  away  their  women  and 
children,  it  was  evident  they  had  discovered  the  Amen« 
cans,  and  would  either  escape  or  make  an  attack  before 
moraing.  While  the  troops  were  in  tl:i8  state  of  readi- 
ness, they  were  vigorously  attacked  on  their  left  flank 
about  daylight ;  the  enemy  was  resisted  with  firmness, 
and  after  a  severe  contest,  they  fled  in  every  direction. 
This  was,  however,  soon  discovered  to  be  a  feint ;  gene- 
ral Cofiee  having  been  detached  with  four  hundred  men, 
to  destroy  the  enemy's  camp,  with  directions  not  to  at- 
tack it,  if  strongly  fortified,  returned  with  information 
that  it  would  not  be  prudent  to  attempt  it  without  artille- 
ry ;  a  half  an  hour  had  scarcely  elapsed,  witcn  the  ene* 
my  commenced  a  fierce  attack  on  Jackson's  left  flank. 
It  seems  they  had  intended,  by  the  first  onset)  to  draw 
the  Americans  into  a  pursuit,  and  by  that  means  creat<^ 

confusion  j  but  this  was  completely  prevented  by  Jack- 
ion's  causing  his  left  flank  to  keep  its  position.    General 

oifee,  with  about  fifty  of  his  officers,  acting  as  volunteers^ 

sailed  the  Irtdians  on  the  left,  while  about  two  hun- 
itd  friendly  Indians  came  upon  them  on  the  right. 

20 


■* 


2S0 


HISTORY  OF  THE  WAR. 


The  whole  line  giving  them  one  fire,  resolutely  charged 
and  the  enemy  being  disappointed  in  their  plan,  fled  with 
precipitation.  On  the  left  flank  of  the  Indians  the  con.  I 
test  was  kept  up  some  time  longer;  general  Coffee  was 
severely  wounded,  and  his  aid,  A.  Donaldson,  killed*  on  I 
being  reinforced  by  a  party  of  the  friendly  Indians,  he 
compelled  the  enemy  to  fly,  leaving*  fifty  of  their  warriours 
on  the  ground. 

General  Jackson,  being  apprehensive  of  another  attack 
fortified  his  camp  for  the  night;  the  next  day,  fearing  a 
■want  of  provisions,  he  founcT it  necessary  to  retreat,  and! 
before  night  reached  Knotachopco,  having  passed  a  dan-i 

ferous  defile  without  interruption.    In  the  morning  hel 
ad  to  cross  a  defile,  still  more  dangerous,  where  hel 
might  expect  that  the  enemy  had  formed  an  ambuscade ;  hel 
therefore  determined  to  pass  at  some  other  point.    The| 
most  judicious  ariangemeuts  having  been  made  for  the| 
disposition  of  his  force  in  case  of  attack,  he  moved  For-j 
ward  towards  the  pass  which  he  had  selected.    The  froHt 
guard,  with  part  of  the  flank  columns,  together  with  the| 
wounded,   had   scarcely  crossed    the    creek,    when  the| 
alarm  was  given  in  the  rear.    Jackson  immediately  gavej 
orders  for  nis  right  and  left  columns  to  wheel  on  their| 
pivot,  and  crossing  the  stream  above  and  below,  assaiJ 
the  flanks  and  rear  of  the  enemy,  and  thus  compieteljr| 
enclose  them.  But,  to  his  astonishment  and  mortificationj 
when  ^he  word  was  given  for  these  columns  to  form,  and| 
a  few  guns  were  fired,  they  precipitately  gave  way.  Thisj 
unaccountable  flight  had  well  nigh  proved  fatal :  it  drew! 
along  with  it  the  greater  part  of  the  centre  column,  leav-j 
ing  not  more  than  twenty-five  men,  who  being  formed  bjj 
colonel  Carrol,  maintained  their  ground  fur  a  time  a*i 
gainst  overwhelming  numbers.  All  that  could  now  be  op*! 
posed  to  the  enemy,  were  the  few  who  remained  of  thej 
rear  guard,  the  artillery  cbmpany,  and  captain  RupeFgl 
company  of  spies.     Their  conduct  however  was  admira-j 
ble.    Lieutenant  Armstrong,  with  the  utmost  coolnes»| 
and  intrepidity,  dragged,  with  the  assistance  of  a  fewl 
more,  the  six  pounder  up  the  hill,  although  exposed  to  al 
heavy  fire ;  and  having  gained  his  position,  loaded  {k\ 


HISTORY  OF  THE  WAR. 


£Sl 


piece  with  grape,  and  fired  it  with  such  effect,  that  after  a 
^^r  discharges,  the  enemy  was  repulsed.  The  [ndians  were 
pursued  for  several  miles,  by  colunel  Carrol,  colonel  Hig- 
|ins,  and  captains  Elliot  and  Pipkins.  Captain  Gordon, 
of  the  spies,  had  partly  succeeded  in  turning  their  flank, 
^d  by  this  impetuous  charge,  contributed  greatly  to  res- 
tore the  day.  '^'he  Americans  now  continued  their  march 
without  further  molestation.  In  these  different  engage- 
ments, about  twenty  Americans  were  killed  and  seventy- 
{ve  wounded  ;  in  the  last  about  one  hundred  and  eighty 
I  of  the  Creeks  were  slain. 

Meanwhile  general  Floyd  was  advancing  towards  the 
Indian  territory,  from  the  Chatahouchie  river.  On  th« 
twenty-seventh  of  January  his  camp  was  attacked  by  a 
large  body  of  Indians,  about  an  hour  before  day;  Tnejr 
Itule  upon  the  centinels,  fired  upon  them,  and  then  rush- 
id  with  great  impetuosity  towards  the  line.  The  action 
Non  became  general ;  the  front  of  both  flanks  was  close- 
ly pressed,  but  the  firmness  of  the  officers  and  men  re- 
yelled  their  assaults  at  every  point.  As  soon  as  it  be- 
came sufficiently  light,  general  Floyd  strengthened  his 
I  light-wing,  and  formed  his  cavalry  in  the  rear,  then  direct- 
ed a  charge ;  the  enemy  were  driven  before  the  bayonet, 
and  being  pursued  by  the  cavidry,  many  of  them  were 
killed.  The  loss  of  general  Floyu  was  17  killed  and  132 
wounded.  That  of  the  Indians  could  not  be  ascertained ; 
thirty-seven  of  their  warriours  were  left  dead  on  the 
field,  but  it  is  thought  their  loss  was  very  considerable. 

By  this  time,  it  might  be  supposed  that  the  Creeks  had 
Ibeen  satisfied  with  the  experiment  of  war,  but  they  appear 
Ito  have  been  infatuated  in  a  most  extraordinary  d^ree. 
IFrom  the  influence  of  their  prophets  over  their  superstl- 
Itious  minds,  they  were  led  on  from  one  ruinous  enort  to 
laiiother,  in  hopes  that  the  time  would  at  last  arrive,  when 
iir  enemies  would  be  delivered  into  their  hands.  Gt:- 
Ineral  Jackson  having  received  considerable  reinforce- 
I meats  from  Tennessee,  and  being  joined  by  a  number  of 
Ifricndly  Indians,  set  out  on  an  expedition  to  the  Talla- 
jpoose  river.  He  proceeded  from  tlie  Coose  on  the  24Ui 
lof  March,  reached  the  southern  extremity  of  the  New 


*  r 


\-. 


'SS2 


HISTORY  OF  THE  W\R. 


Youca  on  the  27th,  at  a  place  called  the  Horse^shoe-bend  i 
of  the  Coose.    Natnre  furnishes  few  situations  so  eligible 
for  defence,  and  here  the  Creeks,  by  the  direction  of  their 

J>rophets,  had  made  their  last  stand.    Across  the  neclcof 
and  they  had  erected  a  breastwork  of  the  greatest  com- 
pactness  and  strength,  from  five  to  eight  feet  high,  and 
provided  with  a  double  row  of  port  holes  artfully  arran». 
ed.     In  this  place  they  considered  themselves  perfects 
secure;  the  assailants  could  not  approach  without  being 
exposed  to  a  double  and  cross  fire  from  the  Indians  who 
lay  behind.     The  area  thus  enclosed  by  the  breast  works 
was  little  short  of  one  hundred  acres.    The  warrioursj 
from  Oakfuskee,  Oakshaya,  Hillebees,  the  Fish  Ponds  I 
and  Eupauta  towns,  had  collected  their  force  at  this  place.! 
in  number  exceeding  a  thousand.  | 

Early  in  the  morning  of  the  twenty-seventh,  ffener^lj 
Jackson  having  encamped  the  preceding  night  wittiin  sin 
miles  of  the  bend,  detached  general  Coflree,  with  thel 
mounted  men  and  nearly  the  whole  of  the  Indian  force,! 
to  pass  the  river  at  a  ford  about  three  miles  below  their| 
.encampment,  and  to  surround  the  bend  in  such  a  maD< 
ner,  that  none  of  them*  should  escape  by  attempting  toj 
cross  the  river.    With  the  remainder  of 'his  force,  gene.| 
ral  Jackson  advanced  to  the  point  of  the  breast-work,! 
and  at  half  past  ten,  planted  his  artillery  on  a  smalll 
eminence  witnin  eighty  yards  of  the  nearest  point  of  the! 
work,  and  within  two  hundred  and  fiftv  of  the  farthest.! 
A  brisk  cannopade  was  opened  upon  the  centie,  and  al 
severe  fire  was  kept  up  with  musketry  and  rifles,  when! 
the  Indians  ventured  to  show  themselves  behind  their 
defences.     In  the  meim  time,   general  Coifee  having 
crossed  below,  had  advanced  towards  the  village;  when 
within  a  half  a  mile  of  that  which  stood  at  the  extremitjl 
of  the  peninsula,   the  Indians  gave  their  yell ;  Co$Ci>| 
expecting  an  immediate  attack,  drew  up  his  men  in  or<j 
der  of  battle,  and  in  this  manner  continued  to  move  for-j 
ward.    The  friendly  Indians  had  previously  taken  [ 
session  of  the  bank,  for  the  purpose  of  preventing  thel 
retreat  of  the  enemy ;  but  they  no  sooner  heard  the  arJ 
tillery  «f  Jackson,  and  tlie  approach  of  Cofiee,  thantiiej 


HISTORY  OF  THE  WAR. 


SS9 


fQfihed  forward  to  the  banks  ;  while  the  militia,  appre- 
hending an  attack  from  the  Oakfuskce  villages,  were 
obliired  to  remain  in  order  of  battle.  The  friendly  In- 
dians, unable  to  remain  silent  spectators,  began  to  fire 
across  the  stream,  about  one  hunared  yards  wide,  while 
fome  plun«^ed  into  the  river,  and  swimming;  across, 
brought  back  a  number  of  canoes ;  in  these  the  greater 
part  embarked,  landed  on  the  peninsula,  then  advanced 
into  the  village,  drove  the  enemy  from  their  huts  up 
to  the  fortifications,  and  continued  to  annoy  them  during 
the  whole  action.  This  movement  of  the  Indians,  ren- 
dered it  necessary  that  a  part  of  Coffee's  line  should  take 
their  place. 

General  Jackson  finding  that  his  arrangements  were 
complete,  at  length  yielded  to  the  earnest  solicita- 
tions of  his  men  to  be  led  to  the  charge.  The  regular 
troops  led  by  colonel  Williams  and  major  Montgomery, 
were  in  a  moment  in  possession  of  the  nearest  r^vt  of  the 
breast-works  :  the  militia  accompanied  them  with  equal 
firmness  and  intrepidity.  Having  maintained  for  a  few 
minutes  a  very  obstinate  contest,  muzzle  to  muzzle 
through  the  port  holes,  in  which  many  of  the  enemy's 
bails  were  welded  to  the  American  bayonets,  they  suc- 
ceeded in  gaining  the  opposite  side  of  the  works.  The 
event  could  no  longer  be  doubtful ;  the  enemy,  although 
many  of  them  fought  with  that  kind  of  bravery  which 
desperation  inspires,  were  cut  to  pieces.  The  whole 
margin  of  the  river,  which  surrounded  the  peninsula,  waa 
strewed  with  the  slain.  Five  hundred  and  fifty -seven 
vere  found,  besides  those  thrown  into  the  river  by  their 
friends,  or  drowned  in  attempting  to  escape.  Not  more 
tlian  fifty  could  have  escaped.  Among  the  slain  was 
their  great  piophet  Manahoe,  and  two  others  of  less 
note.  About  three  hundred  women  and  children  were 
taken  prisoners.  Jackson's  loss  was  twenty-six  white 
men  killed,  ana  one  hundred  and  seven  wounded  :  eigh- 
teen Cherokees  killed  and  thirty-six  wounded  j  and  five 
friendly  Creeks  killed  and  eleven  wounded. 

This  most  decisive  victory  put  an  end  to  the  Creek 
war.   The  spirit  and  power  of  these  misguided  men  were 

20* 


i''  ''I 


'834 


HISTORY  OF  THE  WAR. 


completely  broken  ;  Jackson  soon  after  scoured  the 
countries  on  the  Coose  an  J  Tallapoose;  a  party  of  the 
enemy,  on  the  latter  river,  on  his  approach,  fled  to  Pen- 
sacola.  The  greater  part  of  the  Creek*  now  came  for- 
ward and  threw  themselves  on  the  mercy  of  the  victors. 
A  detachment  of  militia  from  North  and  South  Carolina  i 
under  the  command  of  colonel  Pearson,  scoured  the  1 
count?y  on  the  Alabama,  and  received  the  submission  of 
a  great  number  of  Creek  warriours  and  their  prophets.    I 

In  the  course  of  the  summer  a  treaty  of  peace  was  die.  j 
tated  to  them  by  Jackson,   on  severe  but  just  terms. 
They  agreed  to  yield  a  portion  of  their  country  as  an  i 
indemnity  for  I'he  expenses  of  the  war ;  they  conceded 
the  privilege  of  ^?pening  roads  through  thair  country,  toge- 
ther with  tne  libeity  of  navigating  their  rivers ;  they  aTs« 
stipulated  to  hold  no  intercourse   with  any  Britisher 
Spanish  post,  or  garrison,  and  to  deliver  up  the  property 
they  had  t;iken  from  the  whites  or  friendly  Indians.  The 
general,  on  the  part  of  the.  United  States,  undertooic  to 
guarantee  their  territory,  to  restore  all  their  prisoners, 
and  in  eousideration    of    their  destitute    situation,  to  I 
furnish  them  jr'atuilously  with  the  necessaries  of  life,  un-j 
til  they  could  ;,>r*>viide  for  themselves.    They  also  engaj,. 
ed  to  establisli  trading  houses,  and  endeavour  to  brin^l 
back  the  nation  to  their  former  state.  ! 

It  is  truly  lamentable  to  c«atentplate  the  ruin  of  these] 
tribes,  who  were  making  such  rapid  advances  to  civiiiza.- 
tion.    Their  villages  were  entirely  dcitroyed,  and  their  I 
herds,  which  had  become  numerous,  were  killed  by  them> 
selves  at  an  early  part  of  the  contest.     It  is  to  be  hoped,! 
they  will  be  restored  to  their  former  prosperity,  though 
their  experience  has  been  dearly  bought^ 


HISTORY  OF  THE  WAR. 


235 


CHAPTER  XIV. 


General  Tfilldnson  retires  to  Plattshurg — General  Brown 
marches  to  the  Niagara  frontier — *^air  of  La  CoUe—- 
Exertions  of  commodore  M^Donouf^h  to  create  a  naval 
farce — Contest  for  superiority  on  Lake  Ontario-^M- 
tack  of  Oswego — Death  of  colonel  Forsythe' — Colonel 
CampbeWs  expedition — GraUant  defence  of  eaptain 
UohneS'~^&erious  crisis  in  the  state  of  our  affairs 
^Commodore  Hardy  invades  the  nortfiern  sea-coast'—' 
Takes  possession  of  Eastport  and  Castine — Gallant  de- 
fence of  Stonington-^The  John  Adams  destroyed, 

Jt^FTER  the  failure  of  the  campaign  against  the  British 
provinces,  the  Northern  army  remained  in  winter  quar- 
ters, without  any  material  occurrence,  untit  towards  the 
latter  end  of  February.  General  Wilkinson  had  sub- 
mitted  several  plans  of  attack,  on  the  different  British 
posts  in  his  vicinity,  with  a  view  of  cutting  off  the  com- 
munication between  Upper  and  Lower  Canada ;  these 
however,  did  not  meet  the  approbation  of  the  secretary 
at  war  :  who  gave  orders  that  the  American  force  should 
be  withdrawn  from  its  present  position,  and  stationed  at 
Pbttsburgh ;  and  that  two  thousand  men  should  be 
inarched  under  general  Brown  to  Sackett's  Harbour,  with 
a  proportion  of  field  artillery  and  battering  cannon.  The 
general,  in  obedience  to  these  orders,  after  destroying  his 
barracks,  retired  to  the  place  appointed;  The  British, 
apprized  of  his  movements,  detached  a  large  force  under 
colonel  Scott,  of  the  lOSd,  who  destroyed  the  publick 
stores,  and  pillaged  the  private  citizens,  but  on  hearing 
of  the  approach  of  an  American  force,  retreated  in  the 
most  precipitate  manner.  The  whole  party  suffered 
much  from  a  severe  snow  storm,  besides  losing  upwards 
of  two  hundred  deserters.  It  is  about  this  time,  tnat  de- 
lertjons  became  one  of  the  serious  difficulties  which  the 


2S6 


HISTORY  OF  THE  WAR. 


enemy  had  to  encounter :  their  custom  of  permitting 
their  soldiery  to  plunder  in  almost  every  instance,  may 
perhaps  have  arisen  from  the  necessity  of  indulging  them 
m  this,  as  one  method  of  retaining  them  in  their  service. 
Towards  the  latter  end  of  March,  general  Wilkinson 
determined  to  erect  a  battery  at  a  place  called  Rouse's 
Point,  where  his  engineer  had  discovered  a  position  from 
which  the  enemy's  fleet,  then  laid  up  at  St.  John's,  might 
be  kept  in  check.  The  ice  breaking  up  on  Lake  Cham- 
plain  sooner  than  usual,  defeated  his  plan  ;  a  body  of  the 
enemy,  upwards  of  two  thousand  strong,  on  discovering 
his  design,  had  been  collected  at  LaColle  mill,  three  miles 
from  Rouse's  Point,  for  the  purpose  of  opposing  him.-* 
With  a  view  of  dislodging  this  party,  and  at  tlie  same 
time  of  forming  a  diversion  in  favour  of  general  Brown, 
tvho  had  marched  against  Niagara,  the  commander  in 
chief,  at  the  head  of  about  four  thousand  men,  crossed 
the  Canada  lines,  on  the  thirtieth  of  March.  After  dig. 
persing  several  of  the  enemy's  skirmishing  parties,  he 
reached  La  Colle  mill,  a  large  fortified  stone  house, 
at  which  major  Hancock  commanded.  An  eighteen 
pounder  was  ordered  up,  but  owing  to  the  nature  of  the 
ground  over  which  it  had  to  pass,  the  transportation  was 
Found  impracticable ;  a  twelve  pounder  and  a  five  inch 
howitzer,  were  therefore  substituted.  These  pieces,  un- 
der the  direction  of  captain  M'Pherson,  and  lieutenants 
Larrabee  and  Sheldon,  were  posted  at  the  distance  of 
two  hundred  paces  from  the  house,  and  covered  by  the 
second  brigade,  with  part  of  colonel  Clark's  command, 
under  general  Smith,  on  the  right ;  and  the  third  brigade 
under  general  Bissel,  on  the  left.  Colonel  Miller  was 
orderea  to  take  a  position  with  the  twelfth  and  thirteenth 
regiments,  in  order  to  cut  off  the  enemy's  retreat ;  while 
the  reserve,  composed  of  four  select  corps  of  the  first  bri- 
ffade,  was  placed  under  the  command  of  general  M^Comb. 
These  arrangements  being  made,  the  battery  opened  up- 
on the  house,  and  the  fire  was  promptly  returned.  The 
ditlerent  corps  were  greatly  exposed  to  the  fire  from  the  1 
house ;  it  was  found  impossible  to  effect  a  bleach,  al- 
though the  guns  were  managed  with  great  skill.    Captain 


HISTORY  OF  THE  WAfe, 


tsr 


H^Pherson  was  wounded  at  the  commencement  of  the 
attack,  but  continued  notwithstanding  at  his  post,  until  i 
second  shot  had  broken  his  thigh ;  his  next  officer  Lara- 
bee  was  shot  through  the  lungs;  lieutenant  Sheldon  kept 
up  the  fire  until  the  end  of  the  affair,  and  behaved  in  a 
manner  which  drew  forth  the  praise  of  his  general. 

The  British  commander,  perceiving  that  the  Ameri* 
cans  persisted  in  bombarding  the  house,  made  a  desperate 
(ortie,  and  several  times  charged  upon  the  cannon,  io 
which  he  was  repulsed  by  the  covering  troops,  and  cora- 
nelled  to  retire  to  his  fortress  with  loss.  It  being  now 
found  impracticable  to  make  an  impression  on  this  strong 
building,  whose  walls  were  of  unusual  thickness,  the 
commander  in  chief,  calling  in  his  different  parties,  fell 
back  in  good  order.  The  loss  of  the  Americans  in  this 
affair,  was  upwards  of  one  hundred  and  forty  in  killed 
md  wounded,  that  of  the  British  is  not  ascertained. 
The  unfortunate  issue  of  this  affair,  and  the  failure  in 
the  last  campaign,  brought  general  Wilkinson  into  disre- 
pute with  the  publiek.  One  great  fault  inherent  in  the 
Dature  of  our  government,  is  the  hasty  and  harsh  decision 
respecting  the  conduct  and  character  of  men ;  it  no  more 
ceases  to  be  injustice  when  committed  by  ten  millionsi 
than  if  by  ten  individuals.  Men  are  often  ruined  in  pub- 
lick  estimation,  for  slight  causes,  or  for  uncontrollable  ac- 
cidents ;  and  thev  are  as  often  elevated  to  the  highest 
pinnacle  of  celebrity,  for  actions  which  may  be  better 
considered  the  effect  of  ch  nee,  than  the  test  of  merit* 
The  administration,  yielding  to  the  popular  voice,  thought 
proper  to  suspend  him  from  the  command,  and  the  army 
was  left  under  general  Izard.  General  Wilkinson  was 
afterwards  tried,  and  honourably  acquitted  of  all  the  char- 
ges alleged  against  him. 

The  most  discouraging  difficulties  presented  them- 
selves in  the  economy,  equipment,  and  government  of 
the  American  forces,  to  the  very  last  hour  of  the  war. 
The  severity  of  the  climate  on  the  borders  of  the  St. 
Lawrence  and  the  lakes,  to  which  our  tvros  were  fre- 
quently exposed,  and  their  want  of  knowledge  and  expe- 
rience to  render  themselves  comfortable  in  camp,  were 


239 


HISTOttY  OF  THE  WAR. 


^.-:i" 


the  causes  of  fatal  diseases,  which  carried  off  a  mater 
■umber  than  fell  in  battle.  The  proportion  of  sick  and 
unfit  for  duty  was  at  all  times  very  great.  From  the 
want  of  that  system,  regularity  and  strictness,  which  be- 
long  to  old  establishments,  there  existed  at  one  moment  a 
superabundance  of  all  the  necessary  munitions,  and  at 
another,  as  great  a  scarcity.  There  was  no  end  to  the  ir- 
regular and  unforseen  expej5^es,  which  the  gove,  ment 
was  constantly  called  upon  to  incur.  The  most  vtx.iioug 
abuses  were  practised  in  every  subordinate  department, 
and  which  baffled  every  effort  to  reform.  All  this  must 
be  attributed  to  the  true  cause ;  to  our  settled  habits  of 
peace,  and  to  the  slowness  with  which  the  organization  of 
military  establishments,  must  ever  be  effected  under  a 
constitution  like  ours.  We  had  yet  to  learn  and  put  in 
practice,  the  endless  minutiae  of  the  police  of  the 
eanip^  which  varies  according  to  a  thousand  circumstan- 
ces. We  had  no  regular  soldiers  until  almost  the  close 
•f  the  war.  How  could  we  expect  that  they  should  be 
formed  P  Our  subalterns  wei'e  at  first,  generally,  men  of 
Httle  education  of  any  kind,  and  required  themselves  the 
instruction  which  they  undertook  to  give. 

To  these  unavoidable  misfortunes,  we  have  to  add  the 
disgraceful  conduct  of  many  of  the  frontier  inhabitants, 
who  continued  regularly  to  supply  the  enemy  with  every 
tiling  of  which  they  stood  in  want.  In  spite  of  every 
exertion  to  prevent  it,  a  constant  intercourse  was  kept 
up  across  the  Canada  line,  and  the  British  wiere  not  only 
furnished  with  immense  quantities  of  provisions,  without 
which  they  could  not  have  subsisted  their  armies,  but 
were  also  regularly  informed  of  every  thing  which  trans- 
pired on  the  American  side. 

Shortly  after  the  aifair  of  La  Colle,  the  greater  part 
of  the  British  force  was  collected  at  St.  John's,  and  Isle 
Aux  Noix,  for  the  purpose  of  securing  the  entrance  of 
the  squadron  into  Lake  Champlain,  on  the  breaking  up 
of  the  ice.  This  was  effected  early  in  May.  Sometime 
before  this,  on  the  suggestion  of  general  Wilkinson, 
commodore  M<Donough  had  fortified  the  mouth  ot  Otter 
river,  tto  as  to  secure  a  passage  of  his  flotilla^  which  then 


HISTORY  OF  THE  WAR. 


239 


lay  at  Vergennes,  higher  up  the  river,  waiting  for  its  ar- 
mament.   This  precaution  proved  of  great  service.    The 
commodore  had  laboured,  with  indefatigable  industry,  to 
provide  a  naval  force  on  thi^  lake,  to  cope  with  that  of 
[k  enemy ;  the  vessels  had  been  built  during  the  autumn 
and  winter,  but  their  armament  did  not  arrive  before 
spring.    The  first  object  of  the  enemy,  when  they  found 
the  navigation  open,  was  to  attempt  the  lestruction  of 
tlie  fleet,  before  it  could  move  upon  its  element  prepar- 
ed to  meet  them.    On  the  twelfth  of  May,  not  long  aftt. 
the  erection  of  the  battery  on  the  cape^  at  the  entrance  of 
the  river,  a  bomb  vessel  and  eight  large  gallies  were 
ttatloned  b^  the  enemy  across  the  creek,  for  the  purpose 
of  b)  3kadm<r  the  squadron,  and  at  the  same  time  to  in- 
tercept naval  supplies,  which  it  was  supposed  would  be 
gent  by  water,  for  the  purpose  of  completing  its  arma- 
ment.   Captain  Thornton  of  the  light  artillery,  and  lieu 
tenant  Cassin,  with  a  number  of  sailors,  were  ordered  to 
the  defence  of  the  battery.    Indications  being  at  the 
same  time  discovered  of  an  attempt  by  the  enemy  to  as- 
sail the  battery  in  the  rear,  general  Davis,  of  the  Ver- 
mont militia,  called  out  part  of  his  brigade,  in  order  to 
oppose  the  landing.     At  day-break  on  the  fourteenth, 
the  enemy  commenced  an  at-tack  upon  the  works,  hut 
were  so  effectually  resisted,  that  they  were  compelled 
to  withdraw  from  their  position  with  the  loes  of  two  gal- 
lie?,  which  they  were  obligea  to  abandon.     Soon  after 
the  whole  sc|uadron  moved  down  the  lake,  but  not  with- 
out some  skirmishing  with  general  Wright  of  the  militia^ 
las  tliey  passed  Burlington.      Commodore  M'Donough 
had  attempted  to  bring  some  of  the  American  vessels  to 
the  mouth  of  the  river,  but  the  British  squadron  had  dis- 
appeared before  he  could  attain  his  object. 

While  the  naval  preparations  were  making  on  Lake 
Chauipiain,  the  winter  and  spring  were  taken  up  with 
the  preparations  for  a  contest  for  superiority  on  Lake- 
Ontario,  riie  iiritish  converted  it,  however,  into  a  con- 
test in  building  (he  greatest  number  and  the  largest  ships. 
At  Kingston,  a  tship  of  extraordinary  size  .'/as  building; 
for  the  enemy  no  longer  trusted,  as  they  had  done  witli 


fl40 


HISTORY  OF  THE  WAR. 


other  nations,  to  superiour  seamanship  and  valour.  Coib. 
modore  Chauncey  was  under  the  necessity  of  buildinJ 
additional  vessels,  for  the  purpose  of  maintaining  as  nearly 
as  possible  an  equality  of  force.    The  enemy  was,  how- 
ever,  not  satisfied  with  endeavouring  to  conquer  us  ia 
ship  building,  they  made  numerous  attempts  to  destroy 
by  insidious  means,  those  already  built  by  the  Americans! 
On  the  twenty -fifth  of  April,  three  of  the  enemy's  boats 
provided  with  the  means  of  blowing  up  the  vessels,  suc> 
ceeded  in  getting  close  into  Sackett^s  Harbour  undisco. 
vered  ;  but  befo-e  they  could  execute  their  purpose,  they 
were  detected  and  fired  upon  by  lieutenant  Dudley,  the 
officer  of  the  guard,  on  which  they  threw  tUeir  powder 
into  the  lake,  and  pulled  off.    Failing  in  all  these  at-< 
tempts,  from  the  vigilance  of  the  Americans,  they  next  ] 
formed  the  determination  to  intercept  the  naval  stores  on  I 
their  way  from  Oswego,  where  they  had  been  deposited 
Hither  Sir  James  proceeded  with  his  whole  fleet,  and  j 
having  on  board  a  large  body  of  troops  under  general 
Drummond,  proceeded  on  the  fifth  of  May,  with  thede* 
termination  of  storming'  the  town  and  capturing  tlie 
equipments  destined  for  the  new  vessels.    The  British 
commenced  a  heavy  bombardment,  which  was  kept  up  for 
several  days ;  the  unexpected  and  gallant  resistance  (\( 
the  garrison,   consisting  of   three  hundred  men  unJer 
lieutenant  colonel  Mitchel,  was  in  vain  against  such  su- 
periour force.    The  schooner  Growler,  then  in  Oswego 
creek  to  receive  the  cannon,  was  sunk  to  prevent  her 
from  being  taken,  and  all  the  tents  that  could  be  procured 
were  pitched  on  the  village  side,  to  aive  the  appearance 
of  a  large  force  of  militia.    The  sailors  of  the  Growler, 
under  lieutenant  Pearce,  were  added  to  the  garrison; 
the  shore  battery  was  commanded  by  captain  Boyle,  se* 
conded  by  lieutenant  Legate.    At  one  o'clock,  fifteen 
barges  filled  with  troops,  moved  towards  the  shore,  pre- 
ceded by  several  gun-boats,  while  a  heavy  cannonade 
was  commenced  by  the  larger  vessels*    They  were  so 
warmly  received  by  the  battery  on  the  shore,  that  the 
boats  were  twice  repuised,  and  one  of  the  largest  fell  into 
the  bauds  of  the  Americans. 


*  ♦ 


l^STORY  OF  THE  WAR. 


24t 


The  squadron  now  stood  oflf,  but  this  was  evidentlj 
for  the  purpose  of  renewing  the  attack,  in  such  a  man- 
ner as  to  render  it  effectual.  They  again  approached  on 
the  sixth,  having  resolved  to  land  under  cover  of  their 
;  they  accordingly  kept  up  a  heavy  fire  for  thrcci 


hours,  while  their  land  forces,  two  thousand  in  number» 
I  goder  general  I)e  Watteville,  succeededi  n  gaining  the 
shore,  after  being  gallantly  opposed  by  lieutenant  Pearce 
tnd  his  sealnen.    Colonel  Mitchell  now  abandoned  the 
Fort,  and  joining  his  corps  to  the  marines  and  seametti 
engaged  the  enemy's  fiank,  and  did  great  en^tion. 
I  Finding  further  resistance  useless,  he  fell  back,  wrmed^ 
this  ronps,  and  took  up  his  march  to  the  Falls  of  OswegOi 
destroying  the  bridges  in  his  rear.     Hithar,  to  the  inex- 
pressible disappointment  of  the  British,  the  naval  stores 
lad  already  been  removed,  and  all  their  trouble,  and  the 
Jlogs  which  they  sustained,  procured  them  nothing  more 
ban  a  few  barrels  of  provisions  and  some  whiskey.    This 
|ns  purchased  with  a  loss  of  two  hundred  and  thirty-five 
IneD,  in  killed  and  wounded ;  they  were  certainly  en- 
i  to  the  victory,  but  they  never  thought  proper  to 
Iclaimit.    The  loss  of  the  Americans  was  sixty-nine  in 
Ikilled  wounded  and  missing ;  among  the  first,  a  promis- 
ling  officer,  lieutenant  Blaney. 
On  the  evening  of  the  same  day,  a  part  of  this  force 
proceeded  to  PuTtneyville,  and  demanded  the  publick 
litores.    The  inhabitants  were  unable  to  repel  the  inva- 
W  who  indulged  themselves  in  their  usual  depreda- 
pons ;  when  e^eneral  8wift,  of  the  New  York  militia,  op- 
Bortunely  arriving,  with  a  part  of  his  brigade,  put  them 
n flight.    The  British  soon  after,  hearing  that  the  Supe- 
liour,  which  had  lately  been  launched,  had  received  her 
(|aipments  from  the  interior,  broke  up  the  blockade,  and 
eturned  to  Kingston.     Another  new  ship,  the  Mohawk^ 
jras  at  this  time  on  the  stocks,  and  as  she  would  have  to 
I  supplied  with  her  equipments  from  the  same  place,  it 
bs  determined,  since  the  British  had  disappeared,  to 
IraDsport  them  by  water,  and  avoid  the  expense  and  de- 
lay of  land  transportation.    To  deceive  the  enemy,  who 
lad  numerous  gun-boats  hovering  about  the  difierent 


«*:.r*^ 


243 


HISTORY  OF  THE  WAIL 


treeks,  a  report  was  circulated  that  it  was  intended  to  1 
forward  the  stores  to  the  Oneida  Lake.    "Nineteen  bar- 
ges  were  loaded  at  Oswego,  und  major  Appling  was  dcsJ 
patched  by  general  Gains,   with  a  detachment  to  aid 
captain  Woolsey  in  their  defence.    On  the  twenty-eightli 
of  May,  captain  Woolsey,  finding  the  coast  clear,  reach. 
ed  the  village  of  Oswego  by  sun-set,  and  taking  advan- 
tage of  the  darkness  (u  the  night,  put  into  the  lake. 
The  next  day  they  reached  Sandy  Creek, -and  ascendJ 
injvitafew  miles,  despatched  a  boat  to  look  out  for  the} 
Britisk  qn  the  Lake ;  this  boat  was  discovered  by  some] 
gun  vessels,  and  immediately  chafed.    Major  Applinoj 
and  captain  Woolsey  determined  to  draw  them  Intol 
an  ambuscade.     As  had  been  anticipated,  the  enemrj 
pushed  their  gun-boats  and  cutters  up  the  Creek,  while  J 
party  landed  and  ascended  along  the  bank.    The  AmcriJ 
cans  now  Viuddenty  ruslied  upon  them,    and  in  a  fc\v] 
moment?,  after  one  fire^by  which  a  number  of  them  werej 
killed  and  wounded,  the  whole  party  was  taken  prisonl 
ers,  consisting   of  four   lieutenants  of  the  navy,   twc 
lieutenants  of  marines,   and    one  hundred  &ud  thirty 
men,  together  with  all  their  boats  and  cutters.     Major! 
Appling,  for  this  aiikir,  was  breveted,  and  his  oflicersj 
lieutenants  Smith,  M^ntosh,  Calhuun,  M^Farland,  and 
Armstrong,  and  ensign  Austin,  were  publickly  thankedJ 
The  conduct  of  captain  Woolsey  and  his  ollicers  wa« 
not  less  applauded.      A  party  of  Oneida   Indians  had 
joined  the  Americans  in  this  allair,  and  were  the  first  tol 
reach  the  British,   after    their  surrender ;  these  were 
^out  to  commence  the  mode  of  warfare  practised  bj  the 
anglo  Indians,  at  the  River  Raisin,  Lev/istown,  and  Tus^ 
carora,  but  were  compelled,  greatly  to  tlieir  displeasureJ 
to  desist.*    The  barges  soon  after  arrived  at  SacketlV 
Harbour  in  safety. 


•  The  Chief,  on  this  occasion,  expressed  himself  in  this  ma 
ner.  "When  British  come  Buftuloe,  they  kill  white  man,  thed 
kill  Indian,  they  kill  woman,  they  burn  all  house.— When  BritJ 
ish  come  herej  you  no  let  Indian  kill  him— you  give  eat— dis  nq 
good." 


HISTORY  OF  THE  WAR. 


243 


The  consequent  «  of  this  affair,  were  severely  felt  by 
•the  British;  tliey  lost  a  number  of  their  best  seamen  and 
officers,  an<i  comnjodore  Clmuncey  was  once  more  mas- 
ter of  the  Lake.  He  accordingly  sailed  out,  and  seve- 
ral times  presented  himself  be'  .ire  Kingston,  but  Sir 
James  did  not  think  it  prudent  to  stir  out,  until  his  large 
ship  of  H!2  guns,  then  on  the  stoclcs,  should  be  complet- 
ed, This  niode  of  M-arfare  was  exceedingly  expensive, 
but  more  to  the  British  than  to  the  Americans  ;  it  is  as- 
certained that  it  cost  the  former  more  than  twice  what 
vas  expended  by  the  Americans,  in  consequence  of  their 
greater  diflRicul  ties  of  transportation.  . 

No  event  of  any  consequence  transpired  in  this  quarter 
until  late  in  the  summer,  save  a  skirmish,  which  was  ren- 
dered important  by  the  death  of  that  acttve  though  ec- 
ccntrick  partizan  officer,  colonel  Forsythe,  who  had  been 
1  terrour  to  the  British.  Having  made  an  incursion  as  far 
as  Odelltown,  he  attacked  a  party  of  the  enemy,  and 
retreated  with  a  view  of  drawing  them  into  an  ambuscade; 
but  not  completely  succeeding,  a  severe  skirmish  ensued, 
in  which  seventeen  of  the  enemy  were  killed,  among  their 
number  the  celebrated  partizan  officer  captain  Mallou}:,  a 
Canadian,  who  was  shot  by  lieutenant  ililey.  After  the 
death  of  Forsythe,  the  command  devolved  on  major  Ap- 
pling. ,  .     •     ■ 

General  Brown  had,  in  the  mean  time,  reached  the  Ni- 
agara frontier,  and  it  was  expected  that  the  enemy  would 
b^8 immediately  ejcpelled  from  the  American  territory; 
but  his  situation  did  not  permit  the  attempt,  and  with  tne 
exception  of  a  few  partial  encounters,  tranquillity  pre- 
failed  along  the  Niagara  frontier  during  the  summer. 
It  would  be  improper  to  pass  over  in  silence,  however,  an 
afll'air  which  took  place  m  this  quarter.  Colonel  Camp* 
bell  crossed  the  Lake  from  Erie,  with  about  five  hundred 
men,  and  landin?  at  Dover,  a  small  village  on  the  Cana- 
da side,  proceeded  to  destroy  the  mills,  together  with  the 
greater  part  of  the  private  dwellings.  The  expedition 
was  undertaken  without  orders,  and  as  his  conduct  in  this 
attair,  though  otherwise  a  meritorious  officer,  v/as  greatly! 
reprobated,  a  court  of  inquiry,  at  which  general  Scott 


lii 


ml 


9^4 


mSlORY  OF  THE  WAR. 


presided,  was  instituted.  The  court  decided,  that  the 
destruction  of  the  distilleries  and  mills  mi^ht  be  justi. 
fied  by  the  usa^»3  of  war,  as  they  furnished  the  British 
troops  with  their  neecssarv  supplies  j  but  with  ••aspect  to 
tlie  other  part  of  his  eondiuct,  although  excused  in  gome 
measure  by  the  example  of  the  enemy,  in  the  destruction 
of  the  -villages  on  the  Nia^arc,  it  was  nevertheless  con. 
demned.  In  the  opinion  pT  the  court,  *'  acts  of  retaliation 
on  the  part  of  a  nation,  proud  of  its  rights,  and  consci. 
ous  of  their  power  of  maintaining  them,  should  reluctant- 
ly be  resorted  io,  and  only  by  instruciions  from  the  high, 
est  authority."  The  improper  conduct  of  colonel  Camp* 
]ie\\  was  mitigated  by  his  humane  treatment  to  the  de* 
ienceless  part  of  the  inhabitants,  to  the  women  and  chiU  I 
dren,  in  whicb  he  did  not  follow  the  example  of  the! 
British. 

To  the  Westward,  but  little  of  moment  transpired 
during  the  remainder  of  the  war,  being  once  more  in 
(juiet  possession  of  all  our  territory  except  Michilimack* 
isac.  £arly  in  the  Spring,  hoxvQver,  intelligence  was 
received  by  colonel  Butler;  who  commanded  at  Detroit, 
that  a  considerable  body  of  regulars,  Indians,  and.  mili. 
tia,  was  eollecteU  at  the  river  Thames.  Captain  Lee, 
with  a  party  of  mounted  men,  was  sent  to  reconnoitre, 
and  succeeded-  in  gaiaing  the  rear  of  the  Brit^h  forces 
unobserved,  and  making  prisoners  of  several  officers; 
among  the  rest,  of  colonel  Buubee,  who  had  commanded 
a  party  of  Indians  in  tlieir  depredations  on  the  New*York 
Rentier. 

A  gallant  alTalr  was  soon  after  achieved  by  captain 
Holmes,,  a  youth  of  the  most  promising  talents,  and 
brother  to  the  governuur  of  the  Mississippi  Territory. 
With  a  party  m  about  one  hundreik  and  sixty  rangers 
and  mounted  men,  he  proceeded  on  the  twenty  •first  of. 
February  against  some  of  the  enemy's  posts.  About  the 
beeinniiie  of  March,  le  received  intelligence,  that  a 
Bntish  force,  which  afterwards  proved  to  be  double  his 
own,  was  descending  the  river  Thames.  Captain  Holmes, 
finding  himself  not  m  a  situation  to  give  battle,  from  the 
fatigue  which  bis  men  had  already  encountered,  and  his 


if 


HISTOR\  OF  THE  WAR. 


£45 


Wnor&nce  of  the  strength  of  the  enemy's  P&rty,   fell 
back  a  few  miles,  and  cliose  a  strong  position,  where  he 
wgg  confident  of  being  able  to  defenu  himself,  until  he 
could  obtain  the  necessary  information  of  the  British. 
He  despatched  a  small  body  of  rangers  for  this  purpose, 
but  which  soon  returned,  pursued  by  the  enemy,  but 
without  being  able  to  learn  his  strength.    The  British 
perceiving  the  strength  of  captain  Holmes's  position,  re-> 
sorted  to  stratagem  for  the  purpose  of  drawing  him  from 
it.   They  feigned  an  attack,  and  then  retreated,  taking 
tare  nut  to  show  more  than  sixty  or  seventy  men :  cap- 
tain Holuies  now  pursued,  but  with  caution ;  and  after 
proceeding  about  nve  miles,  discovered  their  main  body 
drawn  up  to  receive  him,  on  which  he  immediately  re- 
turned to  his  former  position.    Having  disposed  his  troops 
in  the  most  judicious  manner,  he  firmly  waited  for  them  $ 
being  protected  in  front  by  a  deep  ravine,  and  the  ap* 
proaches  on  the  other  sides  somewhat  difficult.     The  at- 
tack was  commenced  at  the  same  moment  on  eve/  point, 
with  savage  yells,  ind  tlie  sound  of  bugles,  the  regulars 
charging  up  the  heights  from  the  ravine ;  the  other  sides 
were  rapidly  assailed  by  militia  and  Indians.    The  first 
tpproacned  witiiin  twenty  paces  of  the  American  line, 
against  a  very  destructive  fire ;  but  the  front  section  be* 
ia^'  cut  to  pieces,  those  who  followed  severely  wounded^ 
and  many  of  their  officers  cut  down,  the\  retired  to  the 
woods,  within  thirty  or  forty  paces,  and  th?  ^I'ing  con- 
tinued with  great  spirit  on  both  sides.    The  American 
regulars  being  uncovered,  were  ordered  to  kneel,  that 
tiie  brow  of  the  heights  might  assist  in  screening  thenv 
firoin  the  enemy  ^  but  the  enemy's  covering  was  insuffi<* 
cient,  a  single  tree  affiirding  no  shelter  even  to  one,  front. 
the  extended  line  of  the  Americans,  much  less  to  the 
squads  that  stood  together.    On  the  other  sides,  the  at- 
tack was  sustained  with  equal  coolness,  and  with  consi- 
derable loss  to  the  foe;  tiie  Americans  had,  on  three 
9ide8,  thrown  together  some  logs  hastify,  and  no  charge 
being  made,  they  could  aim  their  pieces  at  leisure,  witb 
I  that  deadly  certainty,  which  belongs  to  the  backwoods* 
nan.    The  Britishi  after  an  hour  oC  hard  fightings  wdJer* 


Uf) 


HISTORY  OF  THE  WAR. 


ed  a  retreat,  and  as  tlie  night  approached,  captairt 
Holmes  thought  it  not  advisable  to  pursue :  besides,  his 
men  were  much  fati«>;ued,  and  many  of  them  had  nearly 
worn  out  their  shoes  on  the  hanl  frozen  ground.  Tlie 
American  loss  on  this  occasion  i\n\  not  amount  to  more 
than  six  killed  and  wounded.  According  to  the  state. 
ment  of  the  British)  tlieir  loss  was  sixty-five  in  killed 
and  wounded,  besides  Indians.  In  consequence  of  hift 
good  conduct,  on  this  affair,  captain  Holmes  waspro> 
moted  to  the  rank  of  major. 

Hitherto  nothing  of  moment  had  occurred,  which  could 
have  much  influence  on  the  final  result  of  the  war.  On 
the  ocean,  it  had  been  glorious  for  us ;  on  the  lakes  and 
on  the  frontier,  our  arms  during  the  last  year,  had  retriev- 
ed our  former  disgraces  5  and  on  the  sea-coast,  the  enemy 
Rad  discovered  that  it  was  not  an  easy  matter  to  make  an 
impression.  It  is  true,  the  disastrous  issue  of  the  cam, 
paign  against  Canada,  took  away  all  hope  of  being  able 
to  make  an  impression  on  that  province,  under  present 
circumstances;  hut  the  happy  termination  of  the  Indian 
\var  to  the  Westward,  ana  its  success  to  the  South,  in 
some  degree  aftbrded  a  consolation.  An  inr.portant  cri- 
sis, however,  had  arrived  in  the  general  stf.te  of  our  af- 
fairs. The  third  year  of  the  war  found  the  situation  of 
this  country  materially  changed.'  The  most  dishearten- 
ing periods  of  the  revolution  scarcely  presented  a  state 
of  tnings  more  painfully  embarrassing.  The  distress  of 
the  northern  states,  whose  subsistence,  in  a  great  mea- 
sure, depended  upon  their  shipping,  and  those' of  the  peo- 
ple of  the  South,  whose  staples  had  almost  ceased  to  be 
of  any  value,  together  with  embarrassments  of  the  banks 
in  the  middle  states,  had  begun,  at  last,  to  make  ui^  feel 
that  we  were  at  war.  To  a  people  who  had  been  for 
years  in  the  most  flourishing  state,  a  check  to  their  pros- 
perity, however  it  might  result  to  their  ultimate  good, 
■was  felt  as  a  positive  aflliction.  To  the  great  body  of 
the  farmers,  in  the  interior  of  the  country,  the  effects  of 
JhostiKties  were  rather  beneficial ;  their  produce  was  raised 
in  price,  and  their  lands  in  value  ;  the  Wealth  of  the  cities, 
BO  longer  applied  to  commerce^  was  diverted  to  the  rote- 


HISTORY  OF  THE  WAH. 


24r 


ipor,  and  was  soon  discovered  in  the  improvement  of  the 
laods;  the  increase  of  the  inland  towns,  and  the  esta- 
blishment of  manufactures. '  But  the  number  of  those, 
ijiom  the  war  distressed  or  ruined,  was  proportionally 
Irreat;  and  as  men  are  more  loud  in  crying  out  against* 
[(tiamities,  than  forward  in  displaying;  their  good  fortune, 
Itlie  unfavourable  side  of  the  picture  only  was  exhibited. 
The  philosopher  might  say,  that  what  was  lost  to  the  na- 
Ition,  on  one  side,  was  gamed  in  the  other;  but  this  rea- 
honing  could  have  little  weight  with  the  individual  suifer- 
|(rs,   In  several  of  the  New  England  states,  complaints 
ned  a  more  serious  cast ;  a  convention  was  talked 
|if,and  it  was  even  insinuated,  that  they  meant  to  secedfr 
liroin  tlie  union.   This,  indeed,  would  have  been  an  event, 
lihich  would  have  filled  every  American  bosom  with  giief^ 
ligreater  injury  to  our  common  country  than  a  thousand 
liars.    The  collisions  between  the  state  authorities  aiid 
Ijiat  of  the  union,  were  beginning  to  produce  all  the  em- 
llarraissments,  which  had  been  predicted  by  Patrick  Hen- 
Irrat  the  formation  of  the  constitution.    The  supposed 
iKistence  of  such  a  temper,  at  the  period  of  our  utmost 
Ineed,  could  not  fail  to  weaken  the  hamds  of  the  adminis*^ 
Itration,  and  increase  the  disposition  of  England  to  pro* 
Itecute  the  war.    The  embarrassments  in  our  financial 
ls?8tem  were  alarming,  and  it  was  confidently  predicted,. 
Ilat  from  a  want  of  Tunds,  the  administration  would  be 
Icompelled  to  yield  up  the  reigns    of  government,  or 
Ithrow  the  nation  upon  the  mercy  of  the  enemy. 
A  new  event  haa  occurred  in  Europe,  which  could  not 
I  viewed  with  indifference,  even  on  these  distant  shores^ 
bid  its  connequence  threatened  us  with  a  serious  danger. 
The  ambitious  monai  ch  of  France  had  been  hurled  from 
his  throne,  by  the  combined  powers  of  Europe,  and  the^ 
liouse  of  Bourbon  restored.     This  event  was  received  by 
ome  of  our  fellow-citizens    with  open  rejoicing,   as 
hough  it  brought  some  signal  good  fortune  to  this  coun- 
try, or  to  the  human  race.    To  this  country  it  could 
bring  no  benefit,  for  it  was  not  likely  that  the  king  of 
France  could,  any  more  than  Napoleon,  feel  a    riendr 
hip  for  08,  although  he  might  not  so  cordially  hate  6t  dt^ 


(«afe*w„, 


848 


HISTORY  OF  THE  WAR. 


spise  us.    Louis  the  eighteenth  could  not  be  expected  to  I 
entertain  much  love  for  republicks,  and  certainly  not  for 
ours,  the  contagion  of  whose  example  is  said  to  have  conJ 
tributed  much  to  that  dreadful  revolution,  in  which  his 
family  had  so  severely  suffered  ;  indeed  it  is  natural  that 
a  repuhlick,  like  ours,  should  not  be  regai*ded  with  much 
complacency  by  any  monarch;  for,  to  use  the  expression 
of  Demosthenes,  "  we  are  considered  as  a  spy  upon  their 
actions."    Napoleoii,  having  been  already  reduced  witU 
in  a  reasonable  compass,  there  was  no  longer  any  danger 
of  his  sei/jng  the  ships  of  England,  and  transporting sc* 
veral  hundred  thousand  men  to  make  a  barren  conquest 
of  Americi :  it  is  more  probable,  that  he  would  have 
paid  a  visit  to  the  empercur  of  China.     I  am  not  the  ad* 
vocate  of  a  cold  and  unfeeling  policy.    The  unfortunate] 
family  of  the  French  Bourbons,  have  suffered  enough  to| 
atone  for  many  errours  and  faults ;  and  as  men,  we  inigh^ 
be  permitted  to  express  our  satisfaction  that  providence! 
haa  deigned  to  put  a  term  to  their  miseries.    It  had, 
however,   become  a  matter  of  indifference  to  us,  whe* 
ther  the  throne  of  France- was  occupied  bv  an  empercur 
or  a  kins.  Buf,as  Gneat  Britain  had  claimecl  the  chief  me. 
ritof  this  wonderful  operation,  publick  rejoicings^for  the 
event  hud  too  much  the  appearance  of  a  rejoicing  fur  the 
success  of  our  enemies,  and  for  the  abstract  success  of 
royalty,    which   whether  of  recent  or  ancient  usurpa' 
tion,  ought  to  be  equally  nauseous  to  a  republican.    The 
event  was,  in  reality,  greatly  adverse  to  our  national  iu* 
terests.     Fired  by  the  success  of  the  wars  of  the  conti'^ 
neut,  and  extravagantly,  elated  with  her  supposed  power 
and  greatness,  the  enemy  was  at  liberty  to  send  herve-j 
teran  troops,  and  her  numerous  fleets,  to  chastise  Aroe* 
rica;  while  our  commissioners  were  suffered  to  rcmaiaj 
for  months  in  neglect,  under  a  pretence,  that  despised 
republicans  might  wait  patiently  in  the  auti-chan^erj 
inrnile  Britain  was  engf^ed  with  personages  of  impor' 
tance.    This  turn  pf  affairs,  far  from  producing  exulta* 
tion,  ought  rather  to  have  depressed  the  friends  of  liber. 
ty  and   America.    Great  Britain  was  highly  incenstd! 
pat  we  had  im>|  waited^  how  )od^  no  obo  cooUi  tell^  witb 


H-rki^ 


AlSTORY  OF  THE  WAR. 


fi4d 


ijl  due  patience,  under  the  numerous  outrages  she  had 
nerpetrated  for  y&rs,  until,  disengaged  from  all  her  £u» 
fopean  wars,  she  would  have  leisure  to  give  us  a  severe 
diastisement  for  daring  to  assert  our  rights.  It  now  be- 
loved us  to  think  no  more  of  invading  Canada ;  oiir  Nor- 
fliem  frontier  was  to  be  laid  waste,  our  sea-coast  devas- 
dted,  and  the  utmost  to  be  expected,  was  a  successful 
jieifdefence.  In  the  plenitude  of  her  arrogance,  Britain 
lilked  of  recolonization,  and  of  crippling  us  for  fifty  years 
tocotue.  Such  was  tlie  situation  ot  America  at  this  eVent" 
k\  period ;  the  time  was  approachipg,  which  would  put 
totne  test  the  strength  of  our  confederation,  and  our  abt- 
I  BtjT  for  defence ;  and  what  was  still  more  interesting,  the 
time  had  come,  which  would  try  our  attachments  to  our 
[Mlitical  institutions,  which,  although  not  yet  venerable 
Ifm  time,  deserved  the  highest  admiration  for  their  jus- 
iice  and  wisdom.  The  people  of  other  nations  could  not 
fiev,  with  indifference,  the  fate  of  this  assylum  and  sane- 
tunr  of  the  oppressed  and  unfortunate  throughout  the 
Iwond. 

Tbe  northern  sea-coast,  which  had  thus  far  experienced 

I  jittle  molestation  from  the  enemy,  became  the  object  of 

iHack  early  in  the  spring.    On  the  7th  of  April,  a  body 

fif  sailors  and  marines,  to  the  number  of  two  hundredf, 

isceoded  the  Connecticut  river,  as  far  as  Saybrook,  wher^ 

tiiey  spiked  the  cannon  and  destroyed  the  snipping ;  they 

proceeded  thence  to  Brockway's  ferry,  where  they  did 

the  same ;  and  afterwards,  unapprehensive  of  attack, 

carelessly  remained  twenty-four  hours.    In  the  meantime 

I  body  of  mUitia,  together  with  a  number  of  marines  and 

tailors,  under  captain  Jones  and  lieutenant  Biddle,  had 

icollected  for  the  purpose  of  cutting  off  their  retreat  $  but 

tlie  British,  taking  advantage  of  a  very  dark  night,  and 

lusing  muffled  oars,  escaped  to  their  fleet,  after  having^  des^ 

Itroyed  two  hundred  thousand  dollars  worth  of  shippinar* 

About, this  time  the  coasting  tr^de.  was  almost  de- 

utroyed  by  a  British  privateer,  thib  Liverpool  Packet, 

which  cruised  in  the  sound.     Commodore  Lewis  sailed 

iwith  a  detachment  of  thirteen  gun*boats,  and  succeeded 

|ia  chasing  her  off.    On  his  arrival  at  Saybrook^  he  fuuiiil 


I  '; I 

i 


'  ■  I r  ;r 


manu^. 


S50 


HISTORY  OF  THE  WAU. 


upwards  of  fifty  vessels  bound  eastward,  but  afraid  to 
Tentuie  out.     The  commodore  consented  to  take  them 
under  convoy,  but  was  not  able  to  promise  them  a  pro. 
tection. against  the  squadron  then  blockading  New-Lon- 
don.    They,  however,  being  disposed  to  run  the  risk,  lie 
sailed  with  them  on  the  25th,  anil  in  the  afternoon  of  the 
same  day,  was  compelled  to  throw  himself  between  hjg 
convoy  and  a  British  frigate,  a  sloop  of  war  and  a  tender, 
and  kept  up  a  contest  until  the  coasters  had  safely  reach. 
ed  New-London.     Having  attained  his  object,  he  deter- 
mined to  try  what  he-could  do  with  his  gun-boats  against  \ 
the  eraemy*8  ships.    Furnaces  being  hastily  constructed, 
he  began  to  throw  hot  balls  at  the  enemy's  sides,  and  re- 
peatedly set  their  ships  on  fire,  without  receiving  any  in- 1 
jury  himself.    The  sloop  soon  withdrew,  and  the  fire 
was  principally  directed  against  the  frigate.    One  shot 
passed  through  her,  very  near  the  magazine  ;  her  licuten-i 
ant,  and  a  great  number  of  her  men,  were  already  killed; 
her  captain  was  on  the  point  of  striking,  when  he  ob- 
served tbat  the  gun-boats  had  ceased  firing.    The  night ! 
soon  after  coming  on,  the  gun-bOats  desisted  from  the  i 
attack,  determined  to  wait  until  morning.    At  daylight,  I 
they  perceived  the  squadron  towing  away;  it  was  re«| 
solved  to  pursue  them,  but  several  other  frigates  soon! 
after  made  their  appearance,  and  put  a  stop  to  this  de- 
sign.    'J'his  affair,  together  with  that  of  Crany  Island, 
revived  the  discussion  on  the  utility  of  gun-boats  in  the 
defence  of  harbours  and  the  coast.    Great  service  had 
been  rendered  by  captain  Lewis  on  this  as  well  as  many 
other  occasions. 

Formidable  squadrons  were  kept  up  before  the  ports 
of  New-York,  New-London,  and  Boston  ;  and  the  whole 
eastern  coast  was  exposed  to  the  enemy.    The  war  was 
carried  on  here  in  a  verv  different  manner  from  that  to 
the    South.    Commodore  Hardy  would  not  permit  any| 
wanton  outrages  upon  private  prop.erty,  or  upon  defence* 
less  individuals.    In  spite,  however,  of  his  general  de- 
meanor, there  were  particular  instances  of  the  contrary! 
en  the  part  of  the  officers  commanding  smaller  partiesj 
and  actuated  by  a  thirst  for  plunder.    At  the  towns  of| 


HISTORY  OF  THE  WAKi 


^51 


Wiireham  and  Scituate,  they  burned  all  the  vessels  at 
their  moorings;  and  at  the  former,  they  set  fire  to  an 
extensive  cotton  manufactory.  At  a  place  called  Booth- 
bay*  they  met  with  a  spirited  resistance,  and  were  re- 
peatedly repulsed  iti  various  desperate  attacks. 

An  invasion  of  a  more  serious  nature  was  made  in  July, 
On  the  eleventh  of  that  month,  Sir  Thomas  Hardy,  with 
a  strong  force,  made  a  descent  on  Moose  Island,  and  aC> 
ter  taking  possession  of  Eastport,  declared  all  the  islands 
and  towns,  on  the  eastern  side  of  Passaniaquoddy  bay, 
to  appertain  to  his  Britannick  Majesty,  and  re(^uired  the 
inhabitants  to  apppear  within  seven  days  and  take  the 
oath  of  allegiance.  About  two-thirds  of  the  inhabitjints 
^  submitted ;  but  in  the  month  of  August,  the  council  of 
the  Province  of  New-Brunswick  declared,  that  notwith- 
slamling  the  oath  of. allegiance,  they  should  be  consider- 
ed as  a  conquered  people,  and  placed  under  military  go- 
vernment. Eastport  was  soon  after  strongly  fortified  ; 
but  it  was  found  extremely  difficult  for  the  enemy  to  sub- 
sist his  troops,  and  the  desertions  were  so  frequent  as  to 
render  it  almost  impossible  to  keep  up  a  garrison. 

The  commodore  soon  after  sailed  with  a  part  of  hi& 
squadron,  for  the;  purpose  of  attacking  Stonington.  The 
appearance  of  this  force  excited  much  alarm,  which  was 
not  diminished  when  they  received  a  message  from  thft 
commodore,  to  remove  the  women  and  children,  as  he 
had  received  orders  to  reduce  the  place  to  ashes.  The 
inhabitants,  although  with  very  trifling  means  of  defence) 
determined  to  make  an  attempt  to  save  their  property. 
The  handful  of  militia  of  the  place,  repaired  to  a  small 
battery  erected  on  the  shore,  and  to  a  breast  work  thrown 
up  for  muiiketry ;  and  at  the  same  time  despatched  an 
express  to  obtam  assistance  from  general  Cushing,  com- 
mandin'^  at  New-London.  In  the  evening,  five  barges 
and  a  large  launch,  filled  with  men,  approached  the  shore, 
under  cover  of  a  heavy  fire  from  the  snips.  The  Ameri- 
cans, reserving  their  lire  until  the  enemy  were  within 
short  grape  distance,  opened  their  two  eidi  teen -pound- 
ers, and  soon  compelled  the  invaders  to  i-eiire  out  of  the 
amM  of  the  battery.    They  uoxt  proceeded  to  another 


.(■t 
h 


f  tS  > 


* 


ft5^ 


HISTORY  OF  THE  WAH. 


^art  of  the  town*  which  they  supposed  defenceless,  but 
a  part  of  the  militia  being  dfetaclied  thither  with  a  six. 
pounder,  the  barges  were  again  repulsed;  the  enemy 
then  retired  to  their  ships,  but  determined  to  renew  the 
attack  in  the  morning  $  and  in  the  mean  time,  kept  up  a 
bombardment  until  midnight.  The  next  morning  it  was 
v..^covered,  that  one  of  the  enemy's  vessels  had  ap< 
proached  within  pistol  shot  of  the  battery,  and  the  barges 
advanced  in  still  greater  numbers  than  the  day  before ; 
tliese  were  again  gallantly  repulsed,  und  the  vessel  driven 
from  her  anchorage.  The  squadron  then  renewed  the 
bombardment  of  the  town,  but  without  effect ;  and  ou 
the  twelfth  the  commodore  thought  proper  to  retire.  The 
inhabitants,  after  this  gjallant  defence,  which,  considering 
the  means  with  which  it  wa:"  fleeted,  and  the  ereat  (lis- 
parity  of  force  opposed  to  thv.m,  deserves  much  praise ; 
once  more  occupied  their  dwelUiigs  in  security. 

It  was  not  long  after  this,  that  the  British  occupied  all 
that  part  of  the  District  of  Maine  between  Penobscot 
river  and  Passamaquoddy  bay,  and  declared  it  to  be  held 
as  a  colony.  On  the  first  of  September,  the  governour 
of  Nov>^  Scotia,  and  admiral  Griffith,  entered  the  Penob* 
scot  river,  and  took  possession  of  Castine,  which  the 
garrison  had  previously  evacuated.  A  proclamation  was 
then  issued,  declaring  that  possession  of  that  part  of  the 
province  of  Maine,  east  of  the  Penobscot,  was  formally 
taken  in  the  name  of  his  Britannick  Majesty ;  the  coun^ 
try,  which  contained  about  thirty  thousand  inhabitants, 
was  then  gradually  occupied,  and  possessed  until  the 
tonclusion  of  the  war. 

A  few  days  before  the  occupation  of  Castine,  the  fri* 
gate  Adams,  captain  Morris,  entered  the  Penobscot  river, 
after  a  successful  cruise  $  and  having  run  upon  a  roek, 
was  obliged  tO  be  hove  down  at  Hampden,  thirty*five 
miles  up  the  river,  for  the  purpose  of  bein^  repaired. 
On  4he  thii'd  of  September,  several  of  the  British  vessels, 
together  with  ten  barges,  and  about  one  thousand  men, 
ascended  from  Castine  for  the  purpose  of  capturing  the 
frigate.  Captain  Morris,  apprised  of  their  approach, 
4Nrected  some  batteries  ou  the  neighbouring  heights,  and 


MSTORY  OF  THE  WAR. 


i& 


trmed  the  militia ;  finding,  however,  that  th^re  was  no 
pogsibility  of  defending  tiie  vessel,  he  ordered  the  ereat- 
er  part  of  his  crew  to  retreat  under  lieutenant  Wads- 
vortii)  while  the  captain  remained  with  a  few  men  to 
How  up  the  ship.  This  he  effected,  but  his  retreat  being 
eut  oft',  he  plunged  into  the  river,  and  escaped  by  swim- 
filing.  The  British,  disappointed  in  this  undertaking; 
retired  to  Gastine. 


CHAPTER  XV. 

iXiival  incidents — The  'Plantagenet  74,  declines  a  eonte't 
with  commodore  Rodgers — Captain  Stewart  chases  (t 
British  frigate  of  equal  force—  Cruise  of  commodore 
Porter — J'ypee  war — The  Essex  captured  by  the  Phwbe 
and  Cherub — T^he  Peacock  captures  the  Epervien^ 
The  Wasp  captures  the  Reindeer — 2%e  Wasp  sinks  the 
Avon — Loss  of  the  Wasp — Frigate  President  captured 
by  a  squadron-^Constitution  engages  and  captures  two 
British  sloops,  the  Cayenne  and  Levant'^The  Hornet 
captures  the  Penguin* 

1  ME  naval  incidents  of  eighveen  hundred  and  fourteen, 
are  f.s  grateful  to  American  feelings,  as  those  of  the  two 
former  years.    An  occurrence  took  place  in  the  very  be- 
I  sinning  of  the  year,  which  attbrded  to  us  as  much  cause 
I  for  triumph,  as  of  mortification  to  the  enemy.    In  the 
nontii  of  February,  commodore  Rodgers,  on  his  return 
from  a  cr  4ise  in  the  President,  found  himself  oft'  Sandy 
Hn  >k,  within  a  short  distance  of  three  large  Brtish  ships 
oi  war,  the  neatest  of  which  was  the  Plantagenet,  a  se- 
venty-four.   Believing  that  an  engagement  with  one,  ov 
all  of  them,  was  unavoidable,  he  cleared  his  ship  for  ac" 
tion,  determining  not  to  surrender  without  selling  his  ship 
as  dearly  as  he  could.    But  notwithstanding  he   fired 
several  guns  to  windward,  as  a  proof  of  his  willingnesl 
to  engage,    the  British  vessels  aid  not  think  proper  iff 
(pproacli,   find  he  safely  reached  New-York*     Cautain' 

2« 


.-^1 


S54 


HISTORY  OF  THE  WAR. 


Llojd,  of  the  Plantagenct,  after  returning  to  England  I 
accounted  for  his  conduct,  by  alleging  a  mutiny  in  his  ship  1 
and  several  of  his  sailors  were  executed  on  the  charge.    I 

Another  aflTair  took  place  soon  after,  which  furnished  a! 
still  stronger  proof  of  the  now  acknowledged  superiorityl 
of  America  upon  the  ocean,  an  acknowledgment  morel 
strongly  expressed  than  by  words.     In  the  month  of  I 
April,  captain  Stewart  was  also  on  his  return  in  the  Con. 
stitution,  after  a  cruise,  when  he  was  chased  by  two  Bri. 
tish  frigates  and  a  brig,  but  escaped  by  superiour  seaman. 
ship,  into  Marblehcad.     Sometime  before,  after  captur* 
injgthe  publick  schooner  Picton,  he  fell  in  with  th«;  British! 
frigate  La  Pique,  captain  Maitland,  who  fled  on  the  ap- 
proach of  the  Constitution,  and  finalljr  escaped  durin? 
the  night,  after  a  long  chase.     Captain  AJaitland  was 
complimented  by  the  board  of  admiralty,  for  thus  obey. 
ing  their  instructions,  in  not  lighting  an  American  frigate 
singly;  it  having  been  determined  that  not  less  than  two 
frigates  could  be  a  match  for  ?n  American.     The  enemy 
had  become  equally  shy  of  the  gun-boat  flotilla,    ('onuj 
modore  Lewis  repeatedly  beat  ott'the  British  vessels  near 
Sandy  Hook,  ana  facilitated  the  return  of  the  American 
ships.    The  Regent,  loaded  with  a  very  valuable  cargo,] 
was  chased  by  the  *Belvidera,  when  commodore  Lewis 
throwing  himself  with  eleven  of  his  gun-buats  between 
them,  tne  frigate  moved  oft'  without  returning  the  shot  of  j 
the  gun-boats. 

That  brave  and  adventurous  seaman,  commodore  For*  j 
ter,  terminated  this  year  his  glorious  cruise  in  the  Paci- 
fic. From  Lima,  in  the  neighbourhood  of  which  he  had 
chastised  the  pirates  of  the  ship  Nereyda,  he  proceeded 
to  the  Gallipagos,  where  he  cruised  from  April,  1813, 
until  October ;  and  in  the  course  of  that  time  captured 
twelve  armed  Rritish  whale  ships,  carrying  m  all  one 
hundred  and  seven  guns,  and  three  hundred  and  two 
men.  Several  of  these  were  equipped  as  American  cruis- 
ers and  stoi'e  ships  $  and^  the  Atlantic,  now  called  the 
Essex  Junior,  of  twenty  guns  and  sixty  men,  was  assign- 
ed to  lieutenant  Downes.  The  prizes,  which  were  to  be 
faid  up,  were  convoyed  by  this  ofloicer  to  Valparaiso.  Utt 


HISTORY  OF  THE  WAR. 


^5 


las  return,  he  brought  intelligence  to  commodore  Porter, 
diata  British  squadron,  consisting  of  one  frigate  and  two 
jiuops  of  war,  and  a  store  ship  of  twenty  guns,  had  sailed 
inquest  of  the  Essex.    The  commodore,  having  been 
Unost  a  year  at  sea,  with  little  intermission,  found  it 
absolutely  necessary  that  his  ship  should  undergo  consi- 
derable repairs.     With  this  view,  he  steeled  to  tne  island 
of  Nooaheevah,  or  Miiflison*s  Island,  which  he  so  named 
I  ja  honour  of  t!»e  President.     Here  he  found  a  fine  bay, 
ami  a  situation  in  every  respect  suitable  to  his  wishes,  the 
johahitants  apparently  friendly.     But  it  was  not  long  be- 
fore he  found  that  his  situation  would  he  unsafe,  in  conse- 
i  queace  of  a  war  which  prevailed  between  the  inhabitants 
of  the  neighbouring  village,  and  those  among  whom  he  had 
been  received.    These  insisted  upon  his  joiniuj^  them  ia 
their  wars,  and  threatened  to  drive  him  away  if  he  did 
not.    The  commodore  was  compelled,  by  a  regard  to  his 
own  safely,  to  send  a  party  of  sailors  with  the  natives, 
who,  by  their  assistance,  defeated  their  enemies  ;  and  by 
tlie  interference  of  the  commodore,  a  peace  was  brought 
about  between  them.     In  consequence  of  this,  the  natives 
erected  a  village  for  the  commod<»re,  freely  traded  with 
Mm  for  provisions,  and  for  some  time  the  greatest  harmo- 
ny prevailed. 

His  safety  was  again  threatened  by  the  conduct  of  th^ 
Tjpees,  an  inland  tribe,  one  of  the  most  warlike  on  the 
island,  and  which  still  continued  hostile,  und  who  were 
continually  urging  the  friendly  Indians  to  destroy  the 
strangers.  The  commodore  found  his  situation  grawing 
every  day  more  critical.  He  therefore  resolved  to  pur- 
sue the  course  necessary  to  ensure  his  safety,  and  wiiich 
has  always  been  held  justifiable  in  our  intercourse  with 
uncivilized  men,  who  are  only  to  be  restrained  from  vio- 
lence and  injustice  by  terrour.  He  had  succeeded  thus 
far  by  peaceable  means,  and  by  the  permission  of  the  na^ 
tives,  in  placing  his  vessel  in  a  state  to  be  repaired  ;  but 
should  the  tribes  around  him  become  inimical,  (and  what 
confidence  can  any  one  repose  in  the  faith  of  a  sava^, 
who  regards  only  force)  he  might  be  in  greater  danger  in 
his  present  situation.    He  was  very  unwilling  to  engage 


i»6 


HISTORY  OF  THE  WAH. 


IB  a  war  with  them ;  to  prevent  the  necessity,  he  sent 
ihem  a  present)  and  requested  that  they  would  remain 
quiet  and  be  at  peace.    This  had  no  other  effect  than  to 
increase  their  insolence  to  the  Americans,  whom  they  re* 
presented  as  a  cowardly  race,  or  they  would  not  have 
etindescended  to  bej^  for  peace.    This  enmity  was  natu< 
rally  enough  engendered  by  their  jealousy  of  the  tribes 
who  had  the  benefit  of  the  traffick  with  the  whites,  and 
*by  this  meaun  obtained  rrticles  from  them,  according  to 
their  estimati  it;,  rf  g-eat  value.    The  commodore  now 
discovered,  tlv       «» spfety  depended  entirely  upon  making 
these  people  ft   '  hi6  t.  rength,  as  it  was  impossible  for 
him,  in  his  preseiu,  sitau;;  n,  to  leave  the  island  until  his 
vessel  could  be  repaired,  and  while  the  greater  part  of 
his  effects  were  actually  on  shore.     He  therefore  set  off, 
at  the  head  of  thirty-five  men,  against  these  people,  de- 
termined to  give  them  battle,  and,  by  shewing  the  effica- 
cj  of  his  weapens,  compel  them  to  be  at  peace.    The 
tribes,  heretofore  friendly,  were  on  the  point  of  breaking 
Qtzt  into  hostilities,  and  were  only  induced  to  wait  the  re- 
sult of  thfs  expedition,  of  which  fhey  were  little  more 
than  silent  spectators.     The  commodore  had  in  vain  en- 
deavoured to  convince  tliem  of  the  destructive  nature  of 
his  fire-arms,  by  shooting  at  rocks  and  trees ;  war  was 
absolutely  unavoidable.     But  the  small  force  with  which 
he  marched,  was  insufficient  to  make  any  impression. 
Their  country  being  exceedingly  mountainous  and  abound, 
ing  in  thickets,  rendered  it  easy  for  them  to  escape.  The 
commodore  was,  therefore,  compelled  to  return  in  a  worse 
situation  than  before.    To  prevent  the  friendly  Indians 
from  rising,  lie  found  it  necessary  to  inform  them,  that  he 
would  proceed  the  next  day  with  the  greater  part  of  his 
men.    A,  large  body  was  now  marched  across  the  moun- 
tains, notwithstanding  the  extreme  difficulties  of  the  route, 
and  penetrated  into  their  valley ;   but  the  natives,  as 
usual,  took  refuge  in  their  inaccessible  fastnesses.    The 
onlj  mode  of  causing  them  to  feel  the  consequences  of 
their  conduct,  was  in  the  destruction  of  their  villages ; 
nine  of  them  were  accordingly  burnt,  after  which  the  par- 
ty retreated.    The  Typees  now  gladly  accepted  terms 


'<*.' 


HISTORY  OF  THE  WAR. 


m 


ifpeace,  and  all  the  tribes  on  the  island,  soon  after,  were 
reconciled  to  each  other  ;  a  circumstance  which  the  old- 
egt  amongst  them  did  not  recollect  to  have  seen;  and 
(hevvied  with  each  other  in  friendship  towards  the  whitea 
while  the  commodore  remained. 

The  destruction  of  the  Typee  villages  has  given  rise^ 
in  the  part  of  the  British  writers,  to  the  most  scandalous 
tbuse  of  commodore  Porter  and  the  American  people,  by 
vhich  means  they  have  endeavoured  to  bring  the  ^cts  of 
the  Americano  to  a  level  with  their  own.  The  destruc- 
tion of  a  few  wigwams  covered  with  palm-leaves,  erected 
to  shield  the  inhabitants  from  the  heats  or  the  rains  of  the. 
torrid  zone,  eifected  by  an  American  officer  in  self-de^^ 
fence,  aad  for  the  sake  of  peace,  is  to  be  viewed  with  hor<^ 
rour;  while  the  conduct  of  the  British  government  in  In- 
dia, in  America,  and  throughout  the  world,  without  any 
9ther  motive  tiian  base  rapacity,  is  to  be  passed  over  un« 
noticed.  The  destruction  of  the  Typee  villages,  is  the 
conduct  of  a  bucanier,  in  commodore  Pointer;  but  the  wan* 
ton  destruction  of  a  flourishing  town,  inhabited  by  civiliz* 
(d  people,  on  the  coast  of  Chdi,  by  admiral  Anson,  is  an 
exploit  to  be  boasted  of.  Can  it  be  that  the  wanton  de- 
struction of  our  villages  on  the  sea-coast,  by  the  British 
admirals,  was  in  retaliation  for  the  destruction  of  the  Ty- 
pee villages  ?  Accusations  of  this  nature  ill-befit  an  En» 
glishman  :  they  too  readily  call  to  mind  the  innumerable 
acts  of  wicked,  depraved,  rapacious  violence,  which  Great 
Britain,  in  common  with  other  European  powers,  has^ 
without  scruple,  committed  upon  the  inhabitants  of  both 
the  Indies.  Even  if  there  be  grounds  for  the  accusation, 
itif^not  for  Britain  to  be  the  accuser.  Humanity  must 
andoubtedly  regret  that  the  villages  of  the  Typees  were 
destroyed  ;  but  reason  must  acknowledge  t)ie  justice  of 
tlie  destruction,  from  the  impossibility  of  purchasing  peace 
and  security  from  the  savage  by  any  other  means. 

There  is  one  part  of  commjdore  Porter's  conduct  which 
is  not  approved  ;  the  taking  possession  of  the  island  in- 
th$  name  of  the  American  government ;  this,  it  .is  true^ 
gave  satisfaction  to  the  natives,  who  regarded  it  as  a  mere^ 
expressiou  of  friendship,  or  rather  aa  adogtioa mno^i 


esv 


HISTORY  OF  THE  WAR. 


the  Mellickees,  and  extending  no  further  ;  but  this  was 
following  the  example  of  the  Eurn))ean  states^  who  have 
usually  considered  themselves  entitled,  by  the  right  of 
discovery,  to  territories  inhabited  only  by  uncivilized 
men.  We,  however,  have  followed  a  different  principle, 
and  had  the  Typee  war  ensued  in  consequence  of  this  act, 
it  could  find  no  justification  ;  of  this  there  is  no  doubt; 
the  enmity  of  the  Indians  proceeded  from  their  jealousy 
of  the  tribes  nearer  the  sea-coast,  who  had  freely  permit- 
ted the  commodore  to  refit  his  vessel.  In  no  instance  has 
any  European  power  acknowledged  the  right  of  unciviiiz* 
ed  men  to  the  lands  occupied  by  them  ;  they  have  uni- 
formly possessed  themselves  by  violence  of  such  portions 
as  they  wanted,  whereas  the  Onited  States  have  uniform- 
ly obtained  them  by  purchase. 

The  Essex  being  completely  repaired,  and  provided 
with  provisions  for  four  months,  sailed  for  Valparaiso  on 
the  twelfth  of  December,  in  company  with  the  Essex  Ju- 
nior. The  three  prizes  were  secured  under  the  fort, 
left  in  the  charge  of  lieutenant  Gamble,  of  the  marines, 
with  orders  to  proceed  to  Valparaiso,  after  a  certain 
time. 

It  was  not  long  after  the  arrival  of  commodore  Porter 
at  Valparaiso,  wnen  commodore  Hillyar  appeared  there 
in  the  Phcebe  frigatei  accompanied  by  the  Cherub  sloop 
of  war.  These  vessels  had  been  equipped  for  the  pur- 
pose of  meeting  the  Essex,  with  piclced  crews,  in  prime 
order,  and  hoisted  flags  bearing  the  motto,  **■  Goa  and 
Dur  country,  British  siailor's  best  rights;  traitors  offend 
fftem."  This  was  in  allusion  to  Porter's  celebrated  niutto, 
'*  Free  trade  and  sailor's  rights  ;'^  he  now  hoisted  at  his 
mizzen,  *^God,  our  country,  and  liberty:  tyrants  of- 
Ibhd  them.*'  On  entering  the  harbour,  the  British  com* 
jmodore  fell  foul  of  the  Essex,  in  such  a  situation  as  tt 
be  placed  completely  in  the  power  of  the  latter ;  the  for* 
tiearance  of  commodore  Porter  was  acknowledged  bjr 
the  English  commander,  and  he  passed  his  word  and  ho- 
nour to  observe  the  same  regard  to  the  neutrality  of  tbe 
|U)rt 


cable,  which  he 


HISTORY  OP  THE  WAR. 


239 


The  British  vessels  soon  after  stood  out,  and  cruised 
off  the  port  about  six  weeks,  rigorously  blockading  the 
{gsex.  Their  united  force  amounted  to  eighty-one  suns 
pid  about  nve  hundred  men,  about  double  that  of  the 
Kggex ;  but  the  circumstance  of  this  force  being  divided, 
in  two  ships,  rendered  the  disparity  stiil  greater ;  and 
was  by  no  means  counterbalanced  by  the  Essex  Junior. 
Commodore  Porter  being  prevented,  by  this  great  dispa- 
rity of  force,  from  engaging,  made  repeated  attempts  to 
draw  the  Phoebe  into  action  singly,  cither  by  manceuv-. 
ring  or  sending  formal  challenges ;  but  commodore  Hill- 
yar  carefully  avoided  the  coming  to  action  alone.  The 
American  commander,  hearing  that  an  additional  Bri- 
tish force  was  on  its  way,  ana  having  discovered  that 
his  vessel  could  outsail  those  of  the  British,  determined 
to  sail  out,  and,  while  the  enemy  was  in  chase,  enable 
the  Essex  Junior  to  escape  to  a  place  of  rendezvous  pre- 
viously appointed. 

On  the  twenty-eighth  of  March,  the  wind  coming  on 
to  blow  fresh  from  the  southward,  the  Essex  parted  her 
starboard  cable,  and  draped  her  larboard  anchor  to  sea» 
Not  a  moment  was  lost  in  getting  sail  on  the  ship,  as  it 
was  determine  to  seize  this  moment  to  escape.  In  en- 
deavourin^iopass  to  the  windward  of  the  enemy,  a  squall 
struck  the  American  vessel,  just, as  she  was  doubling  the 
point,  which  carried  away  her  main -top-mast;  both  ships 
immediately  gave  chase,  and  being  unable  to  escape  in 
bis  crippled  state,  the  commodore  endeavoured  to  put 
back  into  the  harbour ;  but  finding  this  impracticable,  he 
ran  into  a  small  bay,  and  anchored  within  pistol  shot  of 
the  shore  $  where,  from  a  supposition  that  the  enemy 
would  continue  to  respect  the  neutrality  of  the  port,  he 
thought  himself  secure.  He  soon  found,  however,  by  the 
manner  in  which  they  approached,  that  he  was  mistaken* 
With  all  possible  despatch,  therefore,  he  prepared  his 
•hip  for  action,  and  endeavoured  to  get  a  spring  on  Jiia 
cable,  which  he  could  not  accomplish  before  the  enemy 
commenced  the  attack,  at  fifty -four  minutes  past  three. 
At  first,  the  I^cebe  placed  herself  on  his  stern,  and  the 
Cherubs  oa  his  larboard  bow  $  but  the  Ijitter  soon  fin^^ing 


nm 


HISTORY  OP  THE  WAR. 


herself  exposed  to  a  hot  fire,  changed  her  position,  and 
with  her  consort,  kept  up  a  /akin^  fire  under  his  stern. 
The  American  being  unable  to  bnng  his  broadside  to 
bear  on  the  enemy,  his  spring  cables  having  been  three 
times  shot  away,  was  obliged,  tiiurcfore,  to  rely  for  de- 
fence against  this  tremendous  attack,  on  three  long 
twelve  pounders,  which  he  ran  out  of  the  stern  ports; 
but  whicn  were  worked  with  such  bravert  and  skill,  as  in 
half  an  hour,  to  do  so  much  injury  to  the  enemy,  as  to 
compel  them  to  haul  off  and  repair.  It  was  evident  that 
commodore  Hillyar  meant  to  risk  nothing  from  the  dar* 
ing  courage  of  the  Americans;  all  his  manoeuvres  were 
deliberate  and  wary ;  his  antagonist  was  in  his  power, 
and  his  only  concern  was  to  succeed  with  as  little  loss  to 
himself  as  possible.  The  situation  of  the  Essex  was 
most  vexatious  to  our  brave  countrymen  ;  many  of  them 
were  already  killed  and  wounded,  and  from  the  crippled 
state  of.  their  ship,  they  were  unable  to  bring  her  guns  to 
bear  upon  the  enemy. — Her  gallant  crew  were  not  dis. 
heartened,  aroused  to  desperation,  they  expressed  their 
defiance  to  the  enemy,  and  their  determination  to  hold 
6ut  to  the  last. 

The  enemy  having  repaired,  now  placed  himself, 
with  both  ships,  on  the  starboard  quarter  of  the  Essex, 
where  none  of  her  guns  could  be  brought  to  bear; 
(he  commodore  saw  no  hope  but  in  getting  under  way; 
the  flying-jib  was  the  only  sail  he  could  set ;  this  he  caused 
to  be  hoisted,  cut  his  cable,  and  ran  down  on  both  ships, 
with  the  intention  of  laying  the  Phoebe  on  board.  For 
ft  short  time  he  was  enabled  to  close  with  the  enemy, 
and  the  firing  was  tremendous ;  the  decks  of  the  Essex 
Were  strewed  with  dead,  and  her  cockpit  filled  with  the 
Wounded  ;  she  had  been  several  times  on  fire,  and  was, 
in  fact,  a  perfect  wreck.  At  this  moment  a  feeble  hope, 
ftrose  that  she  might  yet  be  saved,  in  consequence  of  the 
Cherub  being  compelled  to  haul  off  on  account  of  her 
crippled  state :  she-,  however,  kept  up  her  fire  at  a  dis> 
tance,  with  her  long  guns.  The  £ssex  was  unable,  hoW' 
tver;,  to  take  advantage  of  the  circumstance,  as  the  Phoibe 
•dged  oily  and  also  kept  up,  at  a  distance,  a  destructive 


able  to  bring  a  s 


HISTORY  OF  THE  WAR. 


261 


Ire;  the  former  being  totally  bereft  of  her  sails,  couldr 
got  bring  her  to  close  quarifers.  Commodore  Porter,  find* 
jgg  the  greater  part  of  his  crew  disabled,  at  last  gave  up 
Hi  hope,  and  attempted  to  run  his  yessel  on  shore,  tbe 
wind  at  that  moment  favouring  his  design ;  but  it  sudden- 
ly changed,  drove  her  close  upon  the  Phoebe ;  exposing  he» 
to  a  raking  fire.  The  ship  was  totally  unmanagable,  but 
IS  she  drifted  with  her  nead  to  the  enemy,  commodore 
Porter  again  seized  a  faint  hope  of  being  able  to  board. 
At  this  moment  lieutenant  Downes  came  on  board,  to 
I  Kceive  orders,  expecting  that  his  commander  would  soon 
be  a  prisoner.  Ilis  services  could  be  of  no  avail  in  the 
present  deplorable  state  of  the  Essex,  and  finding  fronL 
liie  enemy's  putting  up  his  helm,  that  the  last  attempt  at 
I  iioarding  would  not  succeed,  Downes  was  directed  to  re« 
pair  to  nis  ship,  to  be  prepared  for  defending  and  de» 
'  stroying  her  in  case  of  attack. 

The  slaughter  on  board  the  Essex  now  became  horri* 
Ue,  the  enemy  continuing  to  rake  her,  while  she  was  un> 
able  to  bring  a  single  gun  to  bear.  Still  her  commander 
refused  to  yield  while  a  ray  of  hope  appeared.  Every 
expedient  that  a  fertile  and  inventive  genius  could  sug* 
gest,  was  resorted  to^  in  the  forlorn  hope,  that  he  might 
be  able,  by  some  lucky  chance,  to  escape  from  the  grasp 
of  the  foe.  A  hawser  was  bent  to  the  sheet  anchor,  aha 
the  anchor  cut  from  the  bows  to  bring  the  ship's  head 
around.  This  succeeded ;  the  broad-side  of  the  Essex 
was  again  brought  to  bear ;  and  as  the  enemy  was  much 
cripp  ed,  and  unabled  to  hold  his  own,  the  commodore 
thought  she  might  drift  out  of  gun  shot,  before  he  discov- 
ered that  the  Essex  had  anchored  ;  but  alas  !  this  last  ex* 
pedient  failed  ;  the  hawser  parted,  and  with  it  went  the 
fast  lingering  hope  of  the  Essex.  At  this  moment  her  si- 
tuation was  awful  beyond  description.  She  was  on  fire 
both  before  and  aft,  the  fiame^  were  bursting  up  her  hatch 
way,  a  quantity  of  powder  exploded  below,  aad  wbr<|> 
was  given  that  the  fire  was  near  her  magazine.  Thus  sur- 
rounded  by  horrours,  without  any  chance  of  savine  his  ship, 
lie  turned  his  attention  to  the  saving  as  many  o?  his  gal- 
lant companions  as  he  could ;  the  distance  to  the  shore 


'  .'fi 


a6s 


HISTORY  OF  THE  WAR. 


not  exceeding  three  quarters  of  a  mije,  he  hoped  that 
nany  of  thena.  would  save  themselves  before  the  ship  blew 
up.  His  boats  being  cut  up,  they  could  only  hope  to  e%, 
eape  by  swimming ;  by  some  this  ^vas  eftected,  but  the 
greater  part  ol  his  penerous  crew  resolved  to  stay  by  the 
ship,  and  share  the  fate  of  their  commander. 

They  now  laboured  to  extinguish  the  flames,  and  suc- 
ceedei^ ;  after  this,  they  again  repaired  to  their  guns,  but 
their  strength  had  become  so  much  exhausted,  that  this 
effort  was  iu  vain.  Commodore  Porter  summoned  a  con. 
sultaticn  cf  the  officers  of  the  divisions,  but  was  surpiU, 
ed  to  find  onty  one  acting  lieutenant,  Stephen  Decatur 
M*N:^htj  remaining.  The  accounts  from  every  part  of 
the  ship  were  deplorable  indeed  ;  she  was  in  imminent 
danger  of  sinking,  and  so  crowded  with  the  wounded, 
that  even  her  birth  deck  could  hold  no  more,  and  several 
were  killed  under  the  surgeon's  hands.  In  the  mean 
time  the  enemy,  at  a  secure  distlince,  continued  his  iire; 
the  water  having  become  smooth,  he  struck  the  hull  of 
the  Essex  at  every  'shot.  At  last,  despairing  of  saving 
his  ship,  the  commodore  was  compelled,  at  twenty  mi. 
nutes  past  six,  to  give  the  painful  orders  to  strike  the  co* 
Ic'i.s.  The  enemy,  probably  not  seeing  that  this  had 
taken  place,  continued  to  fire  for  ten  minutes  after,  and 
Porter  was  about  to  give  orders  that  the  colours  should 
again  be  hoisted,  under  a  belief  that  the  enemy  intended 
to  give  no  quarters,  when  the  firing  ceased.  The  loss  on 
board  the  Essex  was  fifty>eight  killed,  thirty-nine  wound- 
ed severely,  twenty-seven  slightly,  and  thirty-one  mis- 
sing. The  loss  on  board  the  British  vessels  was  five 
killed  and  ten  wounded ;  but  they  we»e  both  much  cut 
up  in  their  hulls  and  i'igging;  the  Phoibe  could  scarcely 
be  kept  afloat  until  she  anchored  in  the  port  of  Valparaiso 
next  morning. 

Commodore  Porter  was  paroled^  and  permitted  to  re* 
turn  to  the  United  States  in  the  Essex  Junior,  which  was 
converted  into  a  cartel  for  the  purpose.  On  arriving  oil' 
the  port  of  New- York,  the  vessel  was  detained  by  the  Sa- 
turn razee,  and  to  the  disgrace  of  the  British  navy,  al- 
ready dishonoured  by  the  oast  attack  upon  this  gallant 


HISTORY  OF  THE  WAK. 


JS6S 


tfficerf  he  was  compelled  to  give  up  his  parole,  and  de- 
clare himself  a  prisoner  of  war,  and  as  such  he  informed 
the  British  ufiicer  that  he  would  attempt  his  escape.  In 
consequence  of  this  threat,  the  Essex  Junior  was  ordered 
to  remain  under  the  lee  of  the  Saturn ;  but  the  next  morn- 
in<r  commodore  Porter  put  off  in  his  boat,  though  thirty 
miles  from  shore,  and  notwithstanding  the  pursuit  by 
those  of  the  Saturn,  arrived  safely  in  New- York.  Here 
he  was  received  with  open  arms  by  his  countrymen ;  the 
most  unbounded  demonstrations  of  joy  prevailed  wher- 
ever he  appeared,  and  certainly  his  services  to  his  coun- 
try justly  claimed  its  gratitude  and  esteem. 

Perhaps  a  more  dreadful  example  of  determined  un- 
conquerable courage,  was  never  exhibited  than  in  the 
defence  of  the  Essex :  to  an  American,  no  victory  can 
tfibrd  more  pleasing  and  proud  recollection ;  to  our 
enemy,  it  cannot  be  remembered  without  shame,  as 
?aiiiea  by  nnmanliness  in  the  first  place,  and  in  the  next 
bj  violating  neutral  rights.  May  no  victory  crown  my 
country  thus  unfairly  won.  It  is  pleasing  to  see  the 
spontaneous  expression  of  human  feeling  m  favour  of 
the  weak,  when  contending  against  superiour  and  lawless 
force.  Thousands  of  the  inhabitants  of  Valparaiso  co- 
vered the  neighbouring  heights,  as  spectators  of  the  con- 
flict. Touched  with  the  torlorn  situation  of  the  Essex^ 
and  filled  with  admiration  at  the  unHagging  spirit,  and 
persevering  bravery  of  her  commander  and  crew,  a  ge- 
nerous anxiety  animated  the  maltitude  for  their  fate^ 
bursts  of  delight  arose  when,  by  any  vicissitude  of  battle 
«r  prompt  expedient,  a  cliange  seemed  to  turn  up  in  their 
favour;  and  the  eager  spectators  were  seen  to  wring 
their  hands,  and  to  utter  groans  of  sympathy,  when  the 
transient  hope  was  defeated,  and  the  gallant  little  friy 
gate  once  more  become  the  object  of  unresisting  slajugh- 
ter. 

During  the  third  year,  every  naval  combat,  without  a 
single  exception,  wiiere  there  was  any  thing  l'\e  an  equa- 
lity of  forpe,  terminated  in  favour  of  the  Americans. 
The  sloop  of  war  Peacock,  launched  in  October,  perform- 
ed a  cruise  during  the  winter^  and  on  her  return,  v/i» 


SM 


HISTORY  OF  THE  WAR. 


•chased  into  St.  Mary's.  She  soon  after  put  to  sea  a»aiiL 
and  on  tlie  twenty-ninth  of  April,  discovered  the  bng  of 
war  Epervier,  captain  Wales,  having  several  vessels 
under  convoy.  Captain  Warrington  engaged  the  Eper. 
i(rier,  while  the  others  were  inaking*their  escape.  At  the 
firet  broadside,  the  forevard  of  the  Peacock  was  total!? 
disabled  by  two  round  shot  in  the  starboard  quarter.  By 
this,  she  was  deprived  of  the  use  of  her  fore  and  fore> 
topsail,  and  was  obliged  to  keep  aloof  during  the  remain* 
der  of  the  action,  which  lasted  forty-two  minutes.  In 
-this  time,  she  received  considerable  damage  in  her  rig. 
ging,  but  her  hull  was  not  at  all  injured.  The  Epervier 
-Btruck,  having  five  feet  water  in  her  hold,  her  topmast 
4>ver  the  side,  her  main  boom  shot  away,  her  foremast 
icut  nearly  in  two,  her  fore  rigging  and  stays  ghot  away, 
'her  hull  pierced  by  forty -five  snot,  twenty  of  which  were 
within  a  foot  of  her  water  line.  Eleven  of  her  crew  were 
Icilled,  and  her  first  lieutenant  and  fourteen  men  wound- 
ed. She  was  immediately  taken  possession  of  by  lieu- 
tenant Nicholson,  first  officer  of  the  Peacock,  who  with 
lieutenant  Vorhees,  of  the  same  ship,  had  been  already 
distinguished  in  another  naval  action.  The  sum  of  one 
hundred  and  eighteen  thousand  dollars  in  specie,  was 
found  in  her,  and  transferred  to  the  Peacock.  Captain 
Warrington  immediately  repaired,  with  his  prize,  to  one 
'Of  the  southern  ports.  The  day  following  the  captain 
-discovered  two  frigates  in  chase ;  at  the  suggestion  of 
lieutenant  Nicholson,  he  took  all  the  prisoners  on  board 
the  Peacock,  and  leaving  a  sufficient  number  on  board 
the  Epervier  for  the  purpose  of  navigating  her,  he  direct- 
ed her  to  seek  the  nearest  port.  By  skdful  seamanship 
the  captain  succeeded  in  escaping  from  the  enemy's  ships, 
and  reached  Savannah,  where  he  found  his  prize.  Lieu- 
tenant Nicholson,  by  his  good  management,  had  brought 
her  in,  after  encountering  very  great  difficulties. 

The  new  sloop  ;f  war  Wasp,  captain  Biakely,  sailed 
from  Portsmoutn  on  the  first  of  May,  and  after  captur- 
ing seven  merchantmen,  fell  in  with  the  British  brig  of 
war  the  Reindeer,  captain  Manners,  which  she  captured 
ilter  an  action  of  eighteen  minutest    On  the  sixth  ol  Ju' 


HISTORY  OF  THE  WA»t. 


m 


jy,  being  in  ehase  of  two  vessels,  he  discovered  the  Rein- 
deer, and  immediateiy  altered  his  course,  and  hauled  by 
tliewind  in  chase  of  her.  At  15  minutes  past  one,  cap- 
fain  Blakely  prepared  for  action ;  hut  it  was  not  before  nf- 
tecn  minutes  after  three,  in  consequence  of  their  ma- 
nceuvering,  and  the  endeavours  of  the  Reindeer  to  escape, 
tliat  they  approached  sufficiently  near  to  engage.  Seve* 
ral.jBjuns  were  fired  frAm  the  Wasp  before  her  antagonist 
coultl  bring  her  guns  to  bear ;  lier  helm  was  then  nufe 
alee,  and  at  twenty  six  minutes  after  three,  captain  Blake- 
ly convmenced  the  action  with  his  after  carronades  -  on 
the  starboard  side,  and  i^red  in  succession.  Shortly  af- 
ter, the  larb(»ard  bow  coming  in  contact  with  the  VVasp, 
captain  Manners  gave  orders  to  board,  but  the  attempt 
vas  gallantly  repulsed  by  the  crew  of  the  Wasp,  and 
tlie  enemy  was  several  times  repelled  :  at  forty-four  mi- 
jiute«  past  three,  orders  were  given  to  board  in  turn. 
Throwing  themselves  with  promptitude  upon  her  deck, 
they  succeeded  in  the  execution  of  their  orders ;  and  at 
forty-five  minutes  past  three,  the  flag  of  the  enemy's  ship 
came  down.  She  was  almost  cut  to  pieces,  and  half  her 
aew  were  killed  and  wounded.  The  loss  of  the  Wasp 
was  five  killed  and  twenty -one  wounded  ;  among  the  lat- 
ter, niidslnpmeti  Langdon  and  Toscan  ;  both  of  whom 
expired  some  days  after.  The  Reindeer  having  been 
found  altogetlier  unmana»eai)le,  was  blown  up ;  and  cap- 
tain Blakely  steered  lor  L'Orieat  to  provide  for  the 
wounded  of  both  crews. . 

Alter  leaving  L'Orient,  and  capturing  two  valuable 
British  merchantmen,  captain  Blakely  fell  in  with  a  fleet 
of  ten  sail,  under  convoy  of  the  Armada  seventy -four, 
and  a  bomb-ship.  He  stogd  for  them,  and  succeeded  in 
cutting  out  of  the  squadron  a  brig  laden  with  brass  anil 
iron  cannon,  and  military  stores,  frpjn  Gibraltar;  after 
taking  out  the  prisoners  and  setting  her  on  fire,  he  en- 
deavoured to  cut  out  another,  but  was  chased  ofl'  by  tlie 
seventy -four.  In  the  evening,  at  half  past  six,  he  de- 
scried two  vessels,  one  vn  his  starboard,  and  one  on  his 
larboard  how,  and  hauled  fur  that  which  was  farthest  to 
winiiward.    At  seven,  s|ie  was  dis<^yered  to  be  a  brig  f^ 

X9 


|1| 


»«»;-'JiadKr«:..  .        V 


9M 


HISTORY  OF  THE  WAR. 


ifA 


war,  and  at  twenty-nine  minutes  past  nine  she  wns  inidw 
the  lee  bow  of  the  Wasp.    An  action  soon  after  com- 
menced, which  lasted  until  ten  o'clock,  when  captain 
Blakely,  supposing  his  antagonist  to  be  silenced,  ceased ' 
jSring,  and  demanded  if  he  had  surrendered.    No  an- 
swer  being  returned,  he  commenced  firing;  and  the  ene- 
my  retarned  broadside  for  broadside  for  twelve  minutes, 
when,  perceiving  that  the  two  last  were  not  returneil,  he 
hailed  again,  and  was  informed  that  she  was  sinking,  and  I 
that  her  commander  had  struck.    Before  the  Wasp's! 
boats  could  be  lowered,  a  second  brig  of  war  was  dis- 
covered :  the  crew  were  instantly  sent  to  their  quarters, 
and  the  Wasp  was  standing  to  for  the  approach  of  the 
stranger,  when  two  other  brigs  appeared  :  he  now  made 
sail,  and  e'ldeavoured  to  dsaw  the  first  after  him,  but 
without  effect.     The  name  of  the  prize  has  since  been  as- 1 
certained  to  have  been  the  Avon,  captain  Arbuthnot,  of  | 
the  same  force  as  the  Reindeer.     She  sunk  immediately 
after  the  last  man  had  been  taken  out  of  her.    She  had  I 
eight  killed  and  thirty-one  wounded,  induding  her  cap- 
tain and  several  other  officere. 

The  Wasp  soon  repaired  her  damage,  and  continued  1 
on  her  cruise.     On  the  <twenty-fii  st   of  September  mir  ' 
captured,  off  the  Madeiras,  her  thirteenth  prr/.e,  the  bn. 
tish  brig  Atlanta,  eight  guns,  and  the  only  one  she  seis; ' 
into  port.     The  return  of  this  vessel,  after  herbrilliau:; 
cruise,  was  for  a  long  time  fondly  looked   for  b}-  «ur 
country ;  but  all  hope  has  at  la:  ■  .  .  .ished  of  ever  seeing 
her  again.     There  is  but  little  i!»'n}'    that  the  brave  com- 
mander and  his  gallant  crew  have  found  a  common  grave 
in  the  waste  of  ocean ;  but  they  will  always  live  In  the] 
fond  gratitude  and  recollection  of  their  country. 

'I'he  blockade  of  commodore  Decatur's  squadron  at  I 
New-London,  having  been  continued  until  alter  the  sea* 
son  had  passed,  in  w'iich  there  existed  any  prospect  ofj 
escape,  the  ships  were  ordered  up  the  river,  and  disman- 
tled, while  the  commodore  with  his  crew  was  transferred 
to  the  President,  then  at  New-York.  A  cruise  was  con- 
templated in  conjunction  with  the  Peacock,  the  Hornet, 
lipd  the  Tom  Bowline  store-ship.      The  commodore,  | 


■'H*^ 


HISTORY  OF  THE  WAtt; 


aer 


(hin'JngJt  more  safe  to  venture  out  singly,  appointed  a 
place  oT  rendezvous,  and  ordered  the  other  vessels  to 
follow.  Iti  consequence  of  tiie  negligence  of  the  pilot* 
tlie  President  struck  upon  the  bar,  and  remained  there 

i^iutnpii'g  for  two  hours,  by  which  her  ballast  was  deranged 

[iini  her  trim  for  saili.ij;  entirely  lost.  The  course  of  the 
find  preventing  him. from  returning  into  port,  he  put  to 

I  gea,  trusting  to  the  excellence  of  the  vessel.  At  daylight 
lie  fell  in  with  a  British  squadron,  consisting  of  the  £Sndy* 
mioii,  I'enedos  and  Pomone  frigates  and  the  Majestic  ra- 

Lec.  In  spite  of  every  exertion  they  gained  upon  him;  the 
foremost,  the  Kndymion,  got  close  under  his  quarters,  and 
commenced  tiring.     The  commodore  determined  to  bear 

Up  and  engage  her,  with  t!ie  intention  of  carrying  her  by 
ioaixling,  and  afterwards  escaping  in  her,  and  abandoning 

I  his  own  ship.     In  this  he  was  prevented  by  the  manceuv- 

|rin^  of  the  enemy,  who  protracted^  the  engagement  for 
two  hours,  until  the  rest  of  the  squadron  were  fast  gain- 
ing upon  them.  He  now  assailed  the  Rndvmion,  and  in 
i  short  time  completely  silenced  her,  teaving  her  a 
wreck.  The  President  was  also  considerably  damaged^ 
having  lost  twenty -five  in  killed  and  wounded  ;  among 
the  former,  lieutenants  Habit  and  Hamilton,  and  acting 
lieutenunt  Howell ;  among  the  latter,  the  commodore  him- 
self, and  midshipman  Dale,  who  afterwards  died.  .  On  the 

iipproacli  of  the  sqaudron,  the  gallant  commodore,  un* 
lliug  to  sacrifice  the  lives  of  his  men  in  a  useless  con- 
test, on  receiving  the  fire  of  the  nearest  frigate  surren- 

jdered*  On  this  occasion  we  cannot  pass  in  silence  the 
liislionourable  conduct  of  tiic  British  officers  of  the  navy* 
where  such  ought  least  to  have  been  expected.  The  ge- 
nerous and  heroick  character  of  Decatur  is  acknowleged 
wlierevcr  the  American  flag  is  known,  and  requires  no 
testimony  in  its  support,  for  the  British  themselves  have 
often  declared  their  admiration  of  tins  chivalrous  officer. 
The  commodore  was  taken  on  board  iHe  £ndymion,  for 
the  purpose  of  acting  the  miserable  farce  uf  surrendering. 

I  hi3  sword  to  the  officer  of  a  frigate  of  equal  sizcj*  but 
which  would  have  fallen  into  the  hands  of  the  commo- 

I  dore,  but  fur  the  approach  of  the  squadron.    Decatur  in" 


-i 


m^mm*: 


1^8 


HISTORY  OF  THE  WAR. 


«li^ant1y  refused  to  give  up  his  sword  to  anv  one  but  the 
commander  of  the  squadron.    Another  artiJice  was  actu. 
ally  resorted  io;  in  order  to  satisfy  the  godd  people  of 
England  that  the  President  Mas  a  heventy-four  in  dls. ' 
guise  ;  she  was  lightened,  and  laid  in  dock  along  side  of] 
an  old  seventv-four,  diminished  to  appearance  by  being  ^ 
deeply  laden/  Thus  it  seems  a  Britisn  frigate  had  can. 
tured  an  American  seventy-four,  and  the  naval  supfcri^ 
rtrity  of  Great  Britain  waft  no  lon^r  doubted. 

Kot  the  least  amon^t  the  exploits  of  our  naval  heroes^ 
was  the  capture  of  two  of  tlie  enemy's  shipd  of  war  by 
the  Constitution,  captain  Stewart.    Having  sailed  on  a! 
cruise,  he  d^covered  two  ships,  one  of  which  bore  up  for] 
the  Constitution,  but  soon  after  changed  her  course,  te ' 
join  her  consort.    The  Constitution  gave  chase  to  both, 
and  at  six  P.  M.  ranged  ahead  of  the  sternmost,  brought 
her  on  the  quarter,  her  consort  on  the  bow,  and  opened 
a  broadside,  which  was  immediately  returned.     Au  ex* 
.change  of  broadsides  continued  until  both  ships  were] 
.enveloped  in  smoke,  upon  the  clearing  away  of  whicb| 
the  Constitution  finding  herself  abreast  of  the  headmost 
ship,  captain  Stewart  ordered  both  sides  to  ba  mannedj 
backed  topsails,  and  dropped  into  nis  first  position.    The] 
ship  on  the  bow  backed  sails  also.    The  Constitution's 
brtr. Jsides  were  tl^un  fired  from  the  larboard  battery,  and 
in  a  few  moments  the  ship  on  the  bow,  perceiving  her 
^rrour  in  getting  sternboard,  filled  away  with  the  inten- 
tion of  tackin<:  athwart  the  bows  of  the  Constitution, 
while  the  other  fell  off  entirely  unmanageable.    Thcj 
Constitution  then  filled  away  in  pursuit  of  the  former,' 
arid  coming  within  a  hundred  yards,  gave  her  several] 
raking  broudsides,  and  so  crippled  her  that  no  further  ap> 
prehensions  were  entertained  of  her  being  able  to  escape;] 
the  raotain  therefore  returned  to  the  first,  which  iniinedi- 
ateij  Scr^sok.     Possession  was  then  taken  of  her  by  lieute* 
want  n<»fitn:in,  a.^d  prove,d  to  be  the  frigate  Cyane,  captain  I 
Gordon  Falk  n,  ol  thirty-four  guns.     Captain  Stewart 
then  steerru  iu  jiursuit  of  the  other  vessel,  and  alter  a 
short  resistance,  in  which  she  suffered  considerably,  siie 
struck,  with  five  feet  water  in  her  hold.     She  proved  to 


HISTORY  OF  THE  WAR.' 


a69. 


Lthe  sloop  of  war  Levant,  of  eighteen  thirty-two  pound 
(iri'onades.     The  loss  on  board  the  two  ships  amounted 
to  about  eighty  in  killed  and  wounded;  on  board  the. 
Constitution  there  were  four  killed  and  eleven  wounded ; 
kut  the  sliip  received  a  very  trifling  injury.     On  the  tenth 
ofMarch)  captain  Stewart  entered  the  harbour  of  part' 
Praya,  with  hin  prizes,  and  on  the  11th  a  British  squa- 
ilron  uf  two  sixty  gun  ships  aod  a  frigate,  appeared  oil  the 
eotrance  of  the  harbour;  captain  Stewart,  having  no  faith 
if)  his  security,  in  this  neutral  port,  made  sail  with  his 
prize  the  Cyane,  and  though  closely  pursued,  had  the 
Ipod  fortune  to  escape  into  the  United  States.    The  Le- 
vant was  recaptured  iu  th&  Portuguese  port,  in  contempt 
jif  the  neutral  state.    These  are  acts  of  injustice,  la 
Ifliich  no  nation  can  ever  prosper. 
I  The  Peacock,  Hornet,  and  Tom  Bowliiie,  left  New- 
nork  a  few  days  after  the  President,  without  having  re- 
eeived  information  of  her  capture.    On  the  twenty-tiiird 
hf  January,  one  thousand  eight  hundred  and  fifteen,  the 
Hornet  parted  company,  and  directed  her  course  to  rris« 
Ibn  d'Acuna,  the  place  of  rendezvous.    On  the  twen- 
Ity-third  of  March,  she  descried  the  British  brig  Penguin^ 
bptain  Dickenson,  of  eighteen  guns,  and  a  twelve  pound 
lurronade,  to  the  southward  and  eastward  of  the  island* 
[Captain  Biddie  hove  to,  while  the  Penguin  bore  down :, 
htlbrty  minutes  past  one,  the  British  vessel  commenced 
Itbe  engagement.     The  firing  was  hotly  kept  up  for  fifteen. 
iDiautes,  the  Penguin  gradually  Hearing  the  Hornet  withb 
jiie  intension  to  board,  her  captain  having  given  ordera 
m  this  purpose,  but  was  killed  by  a  ^rape  shot :  her  lieu- 
jtenant  then  bore  her  up,  and  running  hsr  bowsprit  be«- 
peen  the  main  and  mizen  rig»;iag  of  tlie  Hornet,  gave; 
ders  to  board  ;  his  men,  however,  perceiving  the  crew, 
the  Hornet  ready  to  receive  them,  refuseu  to  follow: 
Biin.    At  this  moment  the  heavy  swell  of  the  sea  lifteil^ 
Itke  Hornet  ahead,  and  the  eneihy's  bowsprit  carried 
pay  her  niizzen  shrouds  and  spanker  boom,  and  thQ 
IPenguin  hung  upon  tlie  Hornet's  quarter,  witli  the  los». 
[of  her  foremast  and  bowsprit     Her  commander  theii 
lied  out  that  he  had  surrendered,  aud  captain  Biddlt: 


ard 


HISTOaV  OF  THE  WAR. 


ordered  his  men  to  cease  firing.  At  this  moment  an  oifi. 
cer  of  the  Hornet  called  to  captain  Biddle,  that  a  man 
was  taking  aim  at  him  in  the  enemy's  shrouds ;  he  had 
scarcely  changed  his  position,  when  a  musket  ball  struck 
him  in  the  nock,  and  wounded  him  severely.  Two  ina* 
rines  immediately  levelled  their  pieces  at  the  wretch, 
alid  killed  him  before  he  brought  his  gun  from  his  shoul- 
der. The  Penguin  had  by  Uiat  time  ^ot  clear  of  the  j 
Hornet,  and  the  latter  wore  round  to  give  the  enemy  a 
fresh  broadside,  when  they  cried  out  a  second  time  that 
they  had  surrendered.  It  was  with  great  difficulty  ^t 
•captain  Biddle  could  restrain  his  crew,  who  were  exas- 
perated at  the  conduct  of  the  enemy.  In  twenty -tw'o 
minutes  after  the  commencement  of  the  action,  she  was 
taken  possession  of  by  lieutenant  Mayo,  of  tlie  Hornet. 
The  Penguin  was  so  niuch  injured,  that  captain  Biddle 
determii)^  on  taking  out  her  crew,  and  scuttling  h<r; 
and  afterwards  sent  off  his  prisoners  by  the  Tom  BowlineJ 
which  by  this  time  had  joined  him  with  tlie  Peacock.  The 
enemy  lost  fourteen  in  killed  and  twenty-eight  wounded; 
the  Hornet  one  killed  and  eleven  wounded ;  among  the] 
hitter,  her  lieutenant,  Conner,  dangerously. 

Captain  tiiddle,  being  compelled  to  part  from  the  Pea- 
cock, by  the  appearance  of  a  British  ship  of  the  line,  after 
beii.g  Closely  chased  for  several  days,  eifected  his  escape 
int  i  St.  i^alvador,  where  the  news  of  peace  soon  after 
am  ';jd.  The  capture  of  the  Cyane,  the  Leva;  i,  and 
the  Penguin,  took  place  before  the  expiration  of  the  timel 
limiited  by  the  second  article  of  the  treaty  of  peace*      I 

The  exploits  of  the  privateers  continued  to  rival  thosel 
6i  our  national  vessels.  In  one  instance  the  enemy  was] 
Compelled  tu  pay  dearly  for  his  disregard  of  the  sanctua* 
ry  or  a  neutral  port.  The  privateer  Armstrong  lay  «t[ 
anchor  in  the  harbour  of  Fayal,  when  a  British  squadron^ 
Consisting  of  the  Carnation,  the  Plantagenet,  and  the 
Ilota,  hove  in  siglit.  Captain  Reid,  of  the  privateer,  dis* 
tovering  by  the  light  of  the  moon  that  the  enemy  hadl 
put  outnis  barges,  and  was  preparing  to  attack  him,  clear-f 
ed  for  action,  and  moved  near  the  shore.  Four  boatsl 
filled  with  men  approachetl^  and  making  no  answer  onl 


* 


HISTORY  OF  THE. WAR. 


firi 


bein^hailed,  a  fire  was  opened  upon  them,  which  was  re» 
turned,  but  they  soon  called  out  for  quarters,  and  were  per* 
nitted  to  haul  off.  They  then  prepared  for  a  more  fori 
nidable  attack  ;  the  privateep  was  now  anchored  within 
tcabk's  length  of  the  shore,  and  within  pistol  shot  of  the 
castle.  The  next  day  they  sent  a  fleet  of  boats,  support- 
ed  by  the  Carnation,  which  stood  before  the  harbour,  to 
jirevHsnt  the  escape  of  the  pr'.vateer.  At  midnight  the 
Wts  approached  a  second  tine,  to  the  number  of  twelve 
ori  fourteen,  manned  with  several  hundred  men.  They 
were  suflfered  to  approach  along  side  of  the  privateer,  and 
witiiout  waiting  an  attack,  they  were  assailed  with  such 
istonishing  fury,  that  in  forty  minutes  scarcely  a  man  of 
them  was  left  alive.  During  these  attacks  the  shores 
were  lined  with  the  inhabitants,  who,  from  the  brightness 
if  the  moon,  had  a  full  view  of  the  scene.  The  gover- 
nour,  with  the  first  people  of  the  place,  stood  by  and  saw 
the  whole  aiiair.  After  the  second  attack, .  the  governour 
tent  a  note  to  the  commander  of  the  Plantagenet,  cap- 
tain Lloyd,  requesting  him  to  desist,  but  was  answered, 
that  he  was  determined  to  have  the  privateer  at  the  risk  , 
of  knocking  down  the  town.  The  American  consul  hav- 
ing communicated  this  informi^tion  to  captain  Reid,  he 
ordered  his  crew  to  save  their  effects  as  fast  as  possible, 
and  to  carry  the  dead  and  wounded  on  shore.  At  day- 
light the  Carnation  stood  close  to  the  Armstrong,  and 
commenced  a  heavy  fire ;  but  being  considerably  cut  up 
by  the  privateer,  she  hauled  otT  to  repair.  Captain  Reid 
now  thinking  it  useless  to  protract  the  contest,  on  her  re 
appearance,  scuttled  his  vessel  and  escaped  to  shore. 
Ihe  British  loss  amounted  to  the  astonishing  number  of 
|.<one  hundred  and  twenty  killed)  and  one  hundred  and 
thirty  wounded :  that  of  the  Americans  was  only  two 
killed  and  seven  wounded.  Several  houses  in  the  town 
vere  destroyed,  aiid  some  of  the  iohabitants  wounded. 


ar* 


HISTORY  OF  THE  WAR. 


CHAPTER  XVI. 


— Assault  upon  Fort  Erie — Sortie  upon  the  Brithh 
works — Jffain  of  the  West — Expedition  aginst  M* 
chilimackinack,  .      . 

x  ROM  reviewing  the  events  of  the  war  on  the  ocean,  vit 
return  to  the  war  on  the  northern  frontier.  Not  tube 
Ivithout  a  plan  of  campaign,  although  experience  had 
already  shown  how  little  of  the  cabinet  plans  could  ba 
carried  into  execution,  where  they  depended  upon  so  ma- 
ny contingencies,  not  susceptible  of  calculation,  the  foU 
lowing  was  adopted.  'Colonel  Croghan,  with  the  assist. 
ance  of  commouore  Sinclair,  was  to  proceed  agaioHt  the 
,  British  on  the  Upper  Lakes,  with  a  view  of  recovering 
the  yVmerican  posts  of  Michilimackinack  and  St.  Joseph. 
The  American  army,  under  general  Brown,  was  to  cross 
the  Niagara  and  take  possession  of  Burlington  heights; 
and  afiterwards,  in  conjunction  with  commodore  Chaun* 
'cey,  proceed  to  attack  the  British  posts  on  the  Peninsula. 
General  Izard,  commanding  the  Northern  army,  was  to 
push  a  number  of  armed  boats  into  the  St  Lawrence)  sq 
t^  to  command  the  Rapids,  and  cut  ofl'  the  communica- 
tion  between  Montreal  and  Kingston.  A  strong  post, 
garrisoned  with  fifteen  hundred  men,  would  also  co-upe* 
rate  in  this  object.  Batteries  were  also  to  be  thrown  up  i 
lor  the  purpose  of  protecting  the  American  fleet  on  Lake 
Champlain,  and  to  prevent  that  of  the  British  from  enter* 
ing  it^  3ome  of  these  arrangements^  had,  been  anticipated; 
but  the  greater  lart  was  controlled  by  unforeseen  cir> 
cumstances. 

The  spring  jKiSseH  away  before  general  Brown  was  la  j 
a  situation  to  attempt  any  thing  against  the  British  post» 
^oa  the  opposite  side  of  the  river }  e¥«n  Fort  Niagara  stiil 


HISTORY  OF  THE  WAR. 


V^ 


jtmained  in  their  hands.  He  had,  however,  been  assi- 
duously occupied,  ivith  his  gallant  officers,  general  Scutt 
and  general  Ripley,  in  disciplining  his  troops,  and  in  col- 
lecting his  force.  By  the  beginning  of  July,  this  consists 
tA  of  two  brigades  of  regulars^  and  a  brigade  of  New^ 
York  volunteers,  under  generals  Porter  and  Swift,  toge- 
^er  with  a  few  Indians.  In  the  mean  time  the  force  of 
the  enemy,  under  general  Drumniond,  had  been  greatly 
increased,  by  the  additon  of  a  numlier  of  veterati  regw 
nents,  which,  since  the  pacification  of  RUrope,  Great^ 
Britain  had  been  enabled  to  send  to  this  country. 

The  first  step  to  be  taken,  with  a  view  to  any  future 

iperations  against  Canada,  and  to  recover  the  possession 

|«r  Niagara,  it  was  thought  should  be  against  Fort  Erie  } 

for  being  once  possessedof  this  post,  it  was  supposed  the 

inemy  would  evacuate  the  American  side,  and  it  was  ex- 

i  peeled  that  this  garrison  would  be  carried  with  more  ease 

I  than  the  other,  ^om  the  circumstance  of  an  attack  beinz 

less  expected.    Fort  Erie  was  at  that  time  commanded. 

I  bj  captain  Buck^  with  about  one  hundred  and  seventy 

nen.    The  two  brigades  of  regulars  embarked  on  the 

lorning  of  the  third  of  July ;  general  Scott  with  the  firsts' 

and  a  detachment  of  artillery  under  major  Hindman) 

I  crossed  to  the  Canada  shore,  below  Fort  Erie ;  and  gene-; 

ral  Ripley,  with  tlie  second  brigade,  above.    The  garrison: 

was  completely  taken  by  surprise,  and  surrounded  before 

the  movements  of  the  assailants  were  discovered,  and  was 

I  compelled  to  surrender  after  firing  a  few  shot. 

It  was  next  resolved  to  proceed  immediately  and  at* 
I  tack  major  general  Uiall,  wno  at  that  time  occupied  an; 
intrenched  camp  at  Chippewa;  having  first  made  arrange- 
ments for  the  defence  of  the  furt,  which  was  entrusted 
to  lieutenant  M^Donough,  and  for  securing  the  rear  of 
I  tlie  army. 

On  the  morning  of  the  fourth,  general  Scott  advanced 

I  with  his  brigade,  and  captain  Towson's  artillery,  and  wa^ 

I  followed  in  the  course  of  the  day  by  general  Ripley,  and 

I  the  field  artillery  under  major  Hmdman,  together  with 

general  Porter's  volunteers.     The  army  was  then  drawn 

up  in  a  regular  order  to  receive  tlie  enemy,  on  the  right  of 


IMAGE  EVALUATION 
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Photographic 

Sciences 
Corporation 


33  WIST  MAIN  STRUT 

WIISTH,N.Y.  MSM 

(716)  173-4503 


2r4 


HISTORY  OF  THF  WAR. 


Street's  creek)  within  two  miles  of  th«  caiAp.  The  first 
brigade  had  encountered  the  advance  corps,  which  re* 
treated,  but  not  until  after  destroying  the  bridge.  Cap- 
tain Crooker  had  crossed  the  stream  some  distance  above, 
and,  not  conscious  of  his  situation,  was  in  pursttit  of  the 
British,  who  now  turned  upon  and  surrounded  him ;  but 
he  defended  himself  in  so  gallant  a  manner,  that  he  was 
enabled  to  keep  off*  the  enemy,  until  captains  Hull  and 
Harrisbn,  and  lieutenant  Randolph,  came  to  his  relief. 

The  army  remained  in  this  position  until  the  next  day, 
when,  early  in  the  morning,  the  British  commenced  an 
aittack  u|)on  the  picket  guards.  A  company,  commanded 
by  captain  Treat,  was  suddenly  fired  upon  by  a  party 
concealed  in  the  high  grass ;  one  man  fell,  and  the  van- 
guard  brokf;  and  repeated.  The  exertions  of  the  captain 
to  rally  his  men  was  mistaken  for  an  act  of  cowardice, 
»id  he  w««  stripped  of  his  command.  Being  resolved  to 
do  awav  the  imputation,  he  requested  to  engage  in  the 
iqaeproacning  battle  as  a  private,  and  was  accordingly  di* 
rected  to  lead  a  platoon.  He  was  afterwards  tried  and 
jhononrably  acquitted.  'I'he  necessity  of  strict  discipline, 
ttsttch  a  moment,  cannot  be  disputed.  These  assaults 
continued  throughout  the  greater  pai*t  of  the  day.  Gene* 
ral  Riall,  peixeivine  that  an  engagement  was  unavoidable, 
nsdlved  to  strike  tne  first  blow ;  he  therefore  issued  from 
kis  encampment,  with  his  whole  force,  and  soon  aippear- 
•d  on  the  left  bank  of  Street's  creek ;  sending  iiis  light 
troops  to  the  left  of  the  American  ".amp,  -for  the  purpose 
«f  tunning  (heir  ilankj  this  was  frustrat<;d  by  the  vulun- 
Iteers,  who  after  a  sharp  conflict  compelled  them  to  retire; 
but  in  pursuing  on  the  Chippewa  road,  they  came  sudden- 
ly in  Contact  with  the  main  body  of  the*  British.  The 
voluuterri'  were  now  severelj^  pressed  by  troops  greatly 
superioui-  in  numbers  and  disciplioe.  General  lirown  per^  I 
ceiving  this,  ordered  Scott's  brigade  and  Towson's  artii* 
lery  to  advance,  and  draw  the  enemy  into  action  on  the 
plains  of  Chippewa.  This  was  efteeted  immediately  on 
crossing  the  bridge. 

Major  Jessup,  a  gallant  youne  oflScer,  who  commanded 
the  third  battalioni  waa  oraered  to  tura  the  right  flank  of  I 


ftlSTORY  OF  THE  WAR. 


£W> 


the  British,  which  rested  on  a  wood  to  the  left ;  whilst 
f  jurmly  engaged  in  this  service,  he  was  compelled  to  attack 
captain  Ketcnum,  to  keep  a  superiour  detachment  in  check ; 
the  major,  having  cleared  his  front,  moved  to  the  relief 
of  his  captain,  who  had  maintained  an  unequal  contest 
uainst  superiour  numbers.  His  object  was  n6t  accmn> 
pished  here  until  after  a  severe  struggle ;  being  at  length 
closely  pressed  in  front  and  in  flank,  he  deliberately  gave 
orders  to  his  men  to  support  arms  and  advance,  under  a 
dreadful  fire,  until  he  gained  a  position  of  more  security, 
wlience  he  compelled  me  enemy  to  retire.  This  admira* 
Ue  coolness  and  intrepidity  in  his  corps,  was  worthy  of 
feterans,  and  proved  the  great  progress  the  Americans 
litd  made  in  discipline.  The  British  right  Dauk  soon  af* 
ter  began  to  fall  back,  while  the  Americans  pressed  them 
closely.  The  battalion  on  the  American  right,  under  ma- 
jor Leavenworth,  was  not  only  engaged  with  the  British 
lofatitiy,  but  often  exposed  to  the  tire  of  their  batteries, 
Ooe  of  his  officers,  captain  Harrison,  had  his  leg  shot  oft" 
by  a  cannon  ball ;  but  he  considered  (tie  contest  so  doi<bt- 
hl)  tliat  he  would  not  suffer  himself  to  be  taken  from  the 
ipot,  and  continued  to  perform  his  duty  with  astonishing 
fortitude  until  the  action  ceased.  After  the  lapse  of  an 
hour  from  the  time  the  action  became  general,  captain 
Towson  having  completely  silenced  the  enemy's  most 
powerful  battery,  now  turned  upon  the  infantry,  then 
nuch  exposed  to  an  oblique  discharge  of  major  McNeill's 
Busketry ;  the  enemy  was  at  this  moment  advancing  t» 
charge,  out  the  concentrated  fire  which  poured  upon 
them,  and  tke  apparent  issue  on  their  right  flank  with 
najur  Jessup.  compelled  general  Riall  to  retire,  until  he 
iKttciied  the  sloping  ground  which  lefl  to  Chippewa,  when 
British  fled  in  confusion  to  their  entrenchments.-— 
or  Hindinan  and  captain  Towson  pursued  the  enemy 

(ler  the  tire  of  his  batteries,  but  which,  on  examination^ 
were  found  too  strong  to  be  assailed. 

This  may  be  considered  the  first  regular  pitched  battle* 
and  furnished  a  convincing  proof,  that  nothing  but  disci- 
pline was  wanting  to  give  to  our  soldiers  on  land,  the 
liuue  excelleuce  which  our  seamen  had  discovered  on  the 


trtJ 


HISTORY  OF  THE  WAR 


ocean.    The  battle  was  fought  with  s;reat  judgment  and 
toolness  oa  both  sides,  and  its  result,  considering  the! 
numbers   engaged,   was   exceedingly  sanguinary.    T|){| 
loss  of  the  Americans  in  killed,  wounded  and  missing,! 
amounted  to  three  hundred  and  thirty-eight.     Aroongl 
the  wounded  were  colonel  Campbell,  captains  King,of  tliej 
twenty-third,  Read,  of  the  twenty-fifth,  Harrison,  of  the] 
forty-second ;   lieutenants  Palmer  and  Brimhall,  of  the] 
ninth,  Barron,  of  the  eleventh,  and  De  Wit  and  Patcliim,! 
.of  the  twenty-fifth.    The  total  loss  of  the  British,  accord, 
ing  to.the  report  of  general  Drummond,  was  five  hundred 
and  five,  of  whom  forty-six  were  missing,  the  remainder 
«ither  killed  or  i(irounded.    Their  loss  in  ofl&cers  was  sei 
ven  captains  and  seventeen  subalterns ;  the  marquis  of 
Tweedale,  colonels  Gordon  and-  Dickson,  and  captaig 
Holland,  aid  of  general  Riall.    Few  occurrences  since 
the  war  afforded  a  more  lively  gratification  to  the  pecrj 
pie.    The  most  honourable  testimonials  were  bestowea 
upon  .  the  principal  officers  concerned ;  and  the  breve^ 
rank  of  lieutenant-colonel  was  conferred  upon  majors 
Jessup,  Leavenworth,  and  M'Neill :   and  ot  major  on 
captains  Towson,  Crooker  and  Harrison.    Several  other 
officers  were  named  as  having  distinguished  themselves) 
major  Wood  of  the  engineers,  captain  Harris,  and  lieu^ 
tenant  McDonald,  acquitted  tlieniseives  with  much  huH 
'Hour. ' 

The  defeat  of  Kiall  having  been  communicated  to  m 

'Beral  Drummond,  he  sent  a  regiment  to  reinforce  hiinJ 

and  enable  him  to  repel  any  attack  upon  his  works.    Ge4 

Beral  Brown  still  Temained'^^at  his  encampment,  determiiij 

«d  to  dislodge  the  British  $  as  the  most  effectual  mode,iM 

(detached  general  iRipley  to  open  a  road  to  the  Chippewi 

-  river,  at  a  point  three  m'ilesxhove  the  enemy's  camp,  anij 

to  construct  a  bridge  for  the  purpose  of  attacking  the  roe 

. ,  my  on  his  right  flank  and  front*    This  was  executed  witi 

•0  much  secrecy,  that  the  bridge  was  nearly  completed 

Wfore  it  was  discovered,  when  general  Riall  ordered  hij 

artillery  to  advance  and  prevent  the  Americans  fror 

,fompleting  their  works  ;  but  the  artillery  of  general  Ki| 

Rty  compeTlei'  the  British  to  retire.    Geaeriu  Riall  sti 


HISTORY  OF  THE  WAR. 


S^ 


ifterabandoiliDg  his  works,  which  were  occupied  by  gettff 
lal  Brown  that  evening.  Tlie  enemy  fell  back  to  Queens« 
)0wn,  and  afterwards  to  ten  mile  creek. 

The  army  encamped  at  Qiieenstown,  and  previous  -fft 
I  iDj  further  movement,  general  Swift,  at  his^own  request^ 
was  detached  with  about  one  hundred  and  twenty  men,  to 
reconnoitre  the  enemy's  works.  He  surprised  an  out-po8<) 
iml  took  prisoners  a  corporal  and  his  guard ;  one  of  tnesey 
liter  having  asked  and  received  quarters,  suddenly  raisf 
ed  his  piece,  and  gave  the  general  a  mortal  wound.    Thti 
Iteneraf  instantly  killed  the  assassin,  and  on  the  approach 
irfa  party,  brought  by  the  firing  of  the  soldier,  he  continu-^ 
'to fight  at  the  head  of  his  detachment,  regardless  of 
wound,  until  the  enemy  was  repulsed.    This  gallant 
icer  died  soon  after  lie  was  brought  to  camp,  sincerely 
ie^retted,  and  was  interred  with  all  the  honours  the  army 
tould  bestow,    lie  had  been  a  distinguished  soldier  of  the 
Tevolutioii. 
The  question  as  to  what  step  was  next  to  be  taken^ 
was  submitted  by  general   Brown  to  a  council  of  wari$ 
whether  to  follow  up  the  enemy  rapidly,  and  annihilate 
iig  force,  or  first  to  attack  Niagara  and  Fort  George.  The 
latter  was  resolved  upot».     Preparatory  to  this,  general 
Ripley  and  general  Porttr  were  ordered  to  reconnoitre 
the  fort ;  the  one  along  th*^  Niagara,  the  other  by  th6  way 
|of  St.  David's,  for  the  purpose  of  ascertaining  their  res- 
pective situations,  anu  obtaining  the  information  necessa- 
ry for  the  attack.    This  sovvice  was  successfully  perform- 
to,  although  much  exposed  to  the  fi^re  of  the  garrison,  and 
issailed  by  skirmishit'g  parties.    The  plan,  however,  was 
ikandoned,  in  consequence,  as  was  alleged  by  general 
Irown,  of  not  being  able  to  obtain  the  co-operation  of 
kuncy's  fleet,  the  commodore  being  at  this  time  ex- 
emely  ill  ;  the  general,  therefore,  prepared  to  pursue 
e  British  army  to  l^urlington  heights:  and,  with  a  view 
this,  on  the  twenty 'fourth  he  fell  down  to  the  junction 
[flf  the  Chippewa  with  the  Niagara. 

J'ieutenant  general  Drunimond,  mortified  that  his  vet^ 
(ran  troops  should  have  been  beaten,  by  what  he  consi- 
dered raw  Americansy  was  anxious  for  an  opportunity  of 

21 


ars 


HISTORY  OF  THE  WAR. 


retrieving  his  credit.    He  had  eollected  every  re»iinentl 

lirom  Burlington  and  York,  and  the  ]ake  being  free,  thel 

British  commodore  was  abl^  to  transport  troops  frotnl 

Kingston,  Fort  George,  and  even  Prescott.    General  Ri.| 

all  UhAl  post  at  Queenstown,  immeiliately  after  itwasl 

abandoned  by  the  Americans,  who  had  fallen  back  to  ChipJ 

pewa ;  general  Drummond  crossed  a  strong  detachment  toi 

Ihri^aten  the  town  of  Schlosser,  which  contained  the  sup. 

plies  of  general  Brown,  together  with  his  sick  and  wound' 

cd ;  this  was  done  with  the  expectation  of  inducing  ^ene- 

1^1  Brown  to  divide  his  force ;  an  advanced  party  was  at 

the  same  time  pushed  forward  on  the  JNiagara  road] 

With  a  view  of  drawing  oft*  the  enemy  from  his  attemp] 

en  the  village  across  the  river,  general  Scott  was  ordered 

to  move  towanis  Queenstown,  as  apreparatory  movement 

with  his  brigade,  seven  hundred  strong,  with  Towson'J 

artillery,  the  dragoons  and  the  mounted  men  |  with  order] 

to  report  if  the  enemy  appeared,  and  call  for  assistance] 

At  four  o'clock  the  brigade  moVed  firom  the  camp,  anif 

after  proceeding  about  two  miles  and  an  half  from  thi 

Chippewa,  and  within  a  short  distance  of  the  cataract! 

of  l^iagara,  the  enemy  was  discovered  to  occupy  an  cniil 

.nence  near  Lundy's-lane,  a  position  of  great  streii<>thi 

■elected  by  eeneral  Riall,  where  he  had  planted  a  mosj 

formidable  battery  of  nine  pieces  of  artillery,  tuo  uj 

which  were  brass  twenty '■four  pouinders.    On  reaching  i 

narrow  strip  of  woods,  which  intervened  between  then 

and  the  British  line,   captains  Harris   and  Pentlandl 

whose  companies  formed  a  part  of  the  advance,  mn 

first  fired  on,  and  engaged  the  enemy,  who  retreated  foj 

the  purpose  of  drawing  the  American  column  to  the  sir 

tuation    at   Lundv's-lane.     General    Scott   resoiuteij 

pressed  forward,  urst  dcspatching|  major  Jones  with  tli 

ERtelligence  to  the  commander  in  chief.    He  had  no  socHi 

er  cleared  the  wood,  and  formed  in  line  on  a  plain  fineij 

adapted  to  military  manceuvres,  than  a  tremendous  caii 

tiooade  commenced  from  the  enemy's  batteries,  whicl 

was  returned  by  captain  Towson,  but  without  being  ablj 

to  bring  his  pieces  to  bear  on  the  eminence.    The  actioi 

Ivas  continued  for  an  hour,  against  a  force  three  tituef 


HISTORY  OF  THE  WAR. 


279^ 


he  advance)  wen 


O^itof  the  American  brigade,  on  the  ground  to  the  left 
if  Queenstown  road.  The  1 1th  and  22d  having  expen4- 
j^ their  ammunition,  colonel  Brady  and  lieutenant  colonel 
|t*Neiil  being  both  severely  wounded,  and  nearly  all  the 
itjier  officers  either  killed  or  wounded«  both  regiments 
yere  withdrawn  from  action.  Lieutenant  Crawford, 
ijeutenant  adjutant  Sawyer,  and  a  few  others,  attached 
themselves  to  the  9th,  in  such  stations  as  were  assigned 
tbein.  This  regiment,  under  its  gallant  leader  lieutenant 
colonel  Leaven wortli,  was  now  obliged  to  maintain  the 
whule  brunt  of  the  action,  when  orders  were  given  to  ad- 
vance and  charge  on  the  heigiits,  and,  with  the  other 
luegiments,  break  the  e\iemy'ri  line.  But  general  Scott, 
\j»  receiving  information  ot  the  shattered  condition  of  the 
lleventh  and  twuity -second,  countermanded  his  order* 
^lonel  Jessup,  at  the  commencement  of  the  action,  had 
becD  detached  with  the  twenty «fifth,  to  attack  the  left. «£ 
the  enemy's  line. 

.  The  British  now  pressed  forward  on  the  9th,  which 
witli  wonderful  firnmess  withstood  die  attack  of  their  over^ 
whelming  numbers ;  but  reduced  at  length  to  nearly  one 
half,  and  being  compelled  at  every  moment  to  repel  fresh 
charges  of  the  British,  colonel  Leavenworth  despatched 
aincssenger  to  General  Scott,  to  communicate  its  con- 
dition. The  general  rode  up  in  person,  roused  the  flag* 
SDg  spirits  of  his  brave  men  with  the  pleasing  intelligence 
at  reinforcements  were  expected  at  every  moment,  and 
besought  tliem  to  hold  their  ground.  Lieutenant  Riddle^ 
alreat^  well  knuw^i  as  a  reconnoitring  officer,  was  th« 
frst  to  come  to  the  assistance  of  his  felu»w  soldiers,  hav- 
ing been  drawn  to  the  place  bv  the  sound  of  the  cannon, 
f^liile  in  a  scouting  party.  The  same  circumstances  in- 
duced general  Brown  to  proceed  rapidly  to  the  scene  cf 
«ction,dving  orders  to  general  Uipley  to  follow  with  the 
Mcond  brigade,"  On  his  way  he  was  met  by  major  Jonesy. 
and  from  his  information,  he  was  induced  to  order  up 
general  Porter,  with  the  volunteersi  together  with  the 
artillery. 

The  situation  of  the  brigade  became  every  moment 
lot^re  critical..    They  bad  repulsed  every  attack  of  iixt 


d80 


HISTORY  OF  THE  WAlu 


•neicij  with  desperate  coura;^;  but  their  itrength  mm 
MOD  fail,  wh«n  continually  obJi;2;eU  to  en^ay^e  a  fresh  line! 
OenerAl  Riall,  from  the  obstinacy  of  the  resistance,  had 
kj  this  time  over-rated  tlieir  force,  and  had  despatched 
t  messenger  to  general  Drummond  for  reinforcements* 
^18  numbers  engaged  thus  far  having  been  more  than  dou' 
ble  that  of  the  American.  About  this  time  an  awful  pause 
ensued  between  the  two  armies;  for  a  time  no  sound 
broke  upon  the  stillness  of  the  night,  but  the  groans  of 
the  wounded,  mingling  wiia  the  distant  din  of  the  cata* 
ract  of  Niagara.  The  shattered  regiments  were  con> 
solidated  into  one  brigade,  and  placed  as  a  reserve  under 
•olonel  Brady)  who,  though  severely  wounded,  refused 
to  quit  the  field.  The  silence  was  onc^  more  interrupt- 
od  by  the  arrival  of  general  Ripley's  brigade,  major 
Kindman's  artillery,  and  general  Forter's  volunteers 
tnd  at  the  same  time  of  general  Drummond  with  rein* 
force  ments. 

In  the  meantime,  that  accomplished  young  officer,  ma* 
jor  Jessup,  who  had  been  ordered,  in  the  eany  partof  the 
action,  to  take  post  on  the  right,  haid  succeeded  during  tiie 
Ithgaeement,  after  encountering  great  difficulty,  in  turn- 
iflg  the  left  flank  of  the  enemy.  At  the  present  mo- 
ment, taking  advantage  of  the  darkness  of  th?  night  and 
the  incaution  of  the  enemy,  he  threw  his  regiment  in 
the  rear  of  their  reserve,  and  surprising  one  detachment 
lifter  another,  made  prisoners  of  so  many  of  their  offi* 
cers  and  men,  that  his  progress  was  ^reatl^  impeded  by 
it.  The  laws  of  war  would  have  justified  him  in  putting 
tiiem  to  death  $  '<  but  the  laurel,  in  his  opinion,  was  h>ost 
glorious  when  entwined  by  the  hand  of  mercy ;"  hetherC' 
^re  spared  them,  under  circumstances  where  tiiey  cer* 
tainly  would  not  have  spared  him.  One  of  his  omcera, 
fiaptain  Ketchum,  had  the  good  fortune  to  make  prisoner 
of  general  Riall,  and  of  the  aid  of  general  Drummond; 
the  tatter  a  most  fortunate  circumstance,  as  it  prevented 
ihexoncentration  of  the  British  force,  contemplated  by 
that  ofliceiv before  the  Americans  were  prepared  forhia 
reception.  After  disposing  of  his  prisoners,  colonel 
Jessup  felt  his  way  to  the  place  where  the  hottest  fire  wai 


HISTORY  OF  THE  M'AR. 


aifl 


lond  with  rein* 


kept  up  on  the  bri^fle  to  which  he  belonged,  and  drew 
up  his  regiment  beh'iid  ja  fence}  on  the  side  (»t'  the  Queens* 
tiiwn  rojul,  but  in  the  rear  of  a  partj  of  British  infantry^ 
drawn  up  on  the  opposite  side  of  the  same  road  :  he  8ud« 
denly  gave  them  a  destructive  fire,  on  which  they  broke 
|tnd  lied.  " The  major,*'  says  general  Brown,  "'shewed 
himself  to  his  own  aruiy,  in  a  blaze  of  fire."  *  He  was 
orfered  to  form  on  the  right  of  the  second  brigade. 

General  Ripley's  brigaile  iiad  thus  far  been,  attended 
with  brilliant  success,  when  orjJers  were  given  for  it  to 
lilvance  to  the  support  of  general  Scott,  against  whom  a 
ire  was  now  directed  whicTi  he  could  not  long  withstand*- 
General  Ripley,  with  that  rapid  decision  whicn  chai*aeter« 
lies  the  real  .commander,  seeing  that  too  much  time  would 
k  lost  before  he  could  make  his  way  through  the  skirt  of 
woods,  in  the  darkness  of  the  night,  decided  at  once  upoa 
liis  own  responsibility,  io  adopt  the  only  measure  from 
vhich  he  saw  a  hope;  and  which  being  made  known  to 
the  commander  in  chief,  he  instantly  sanctioned.  The 
enemy's  artillery  occupied  a  hill  which  was  the  key  to 
tie  whole  position,  and  it  would  be  in  vain  to  hope  for 
Tictory  while  they  were  permitted  to  retain  it.  Address* 
iog  himself  to  colonel  Miller,  he  inquired  whether  be 
could  storm  the  batteries  at  the  head  of  th>3  twenty^first^. 
while  he  wouhi  himself  support  him  with  the  younger,  ra- 
pment,  the  twenty -third.  To  this  the  wary,,  but  intre^ 
pid  veteran  replied,  wrth  an  unaffected  phrase,  I  wili. 
liRT  SIR  $  words,  w  jich  were  afterwards  given  as  the- 
motto  of  his  regiment "  The  twenty -third  was  formed  in 

86  column,  under  its  commander,  ;^ajor  M'Farlandy 
atiiithe  first  regiment,  under  colonel  Nicholas,  was  leftta 
bep  the  infantry  in  check.  The  two  regiments  moved 
onto  one  of  iiie  most  periloi's  charges  ever  attempted  5 
the  whole  of  the  artillery  opened  upon  them  as  they  ad- 
Taiiced,  supported  by  a  powerful  line  of  infantry.  The 
tff";nty-fir8t  advanced  sttadUy  to  its  purpose  ;  the  twen- 
ty-ilnird  faultered  on  receiving  the  deadly  fire  of  the  ene-- 
Riy ;  hut  was  soon  rallied  by  the  personal  exertions  of  i^ne-- 
ral  Hipley.  Wlien  within  a  hundred  yards  of  the  sum* 
nit,  they  received  another  dreadful  discharge,  by  whiieli 


i^ 


History  of  the  war. 


fhtjor  M*Far1and  vtm  killed t  and  the  command  de?olTL 
on  major  Brooks.  To  the  amazement  of  the  Bridsh,  th^ 
intrepid  Miller  firmly  advanced,  until  within  a  few  pa 
cea  of  their  line,  when  he  impetuously  charged  upon  th( 
artillery,  which,  after  a  short  but  desperate  resistance^ 
vielded  their  whole  battery,  and  the  American  line  was! 
in  a  moment  formed  in  the  rear,  upon  the  ground  previous* 
ly  occupied  by  the  Britisli  infantry.  In  carrying  thej 
latter  pieoes,  the  twenty-first  suflfered  severely ;  lieute 
nant  Ciiley,  after  an  unexampled  effort,  fell  wounded  b 
the  side  of  the  piece  which  he  took  :  few  of  the  office 

"  of  this  regiment  were  not  either  killed  or  wounded.    B, 
the  united  efforts  of  the  two  regiments,  the  British  in 
fantry  was  in  a  short  time  driven  :down  the  eminence^ 
out  of  the  reach  of  musquetry,  while  their  own  canno 
was  turned  upon  them.     This  admirable  effort  complete 
ly  changed  the  nature  of  the  battle ;  every  movement  wai 
now  directed  to  tliis  point,  as  upon  the  ability  to  maintai 
the  heiglit,  the  result  entirely  depended.     While  con 
tending  for  the  heights,  the  capture  of  general  Riall  kai 
been  announced  by  loud  huzzas,  on  the  part  of  the  Anie 
ncan  troops  helnw,  which  brought  a  shell  among  ma 
jor  Hindman'a  corps,  exploded  a  caison,  and  unfoitO'l 
nately  killed  the  brave  captain  Ritchie.     Major  Hind 
man  was  ord^ered  to  bring  up  his  corps,  to  post  himsel 
with  his  ow^. and  the  captured  cannon,  to  the  right o£ 
Bipley'ii  brigaile,  and  between  it  and  the  twenty-fifth,] 
while  the  volunteers  of  general  Porter  were  arranged  od| 
the  right 

The  British  commander,  stung  with  rage  and  mortifica- 
tion at  this  most  extraordinary  and  successful  expluitol 
the  Americans,  now  considered  it  absolutely  essential  U 
tlie  ceditof  the  British  army,  unil  to  avoid  insuppurta- 
|}ie  disgrace,  that  he  should  uiake  a  desperate  efii)it 

.  Having  been  greatly  reinforced,  and  placing  his  troops iai 
the  best  possible  order  for  the  exer.ution  oi  his  purpose, 
b^  now  advanced  upon  Kipley,  with  a  heavy  and  extend* 
•d  line,  out-flankine  him  in  both  extremes.  The  Anl^| 
ricans  fitood  silently  awaiting  his  approach,  having  1e- 


HISTORY  OF  THB  WAR. 


SM 


eeived  orders  from  the  seneral  to  reserve  their  fire,  until 
H could  be  rendered  elective  and  deadly.    The  whole 
(Uvision  of  the  British  no^r  advanced  with  a  brisk  step,  an- 
til  within  twenty  paces  of  the  summit,  when  it  poured  in 
fr  rapid  fire,  and  prepared  to  rush  forward  with  the  bayo* 
iet|  the  American  line,  bein^  directed  by  the  fire  of  the 
enemy,  returned  it  with  deadly  eflfect ;  they  were  tiiirown 
into  confusion,  but  being  again  rallied,  furiously  return- 
ed to  the  attack,  and  a  most  tremendous  confliet  eosneiL 
F»r  twenty  minutes  the  action  continued  with  violence 
^iodiiicribable.    The  British  line  was  at  last  compelled  to 
bield^  and  to  retire  down  the  hill.  Generah  Porter's  volun* 
ileers  emulated  the  conduct  of  the  regulars.    The  eillant 
IflMJor  Wood,  of  the  Pennsylvania  corps,  and  colonel  Dob,* 
^bin,  of  the  New-York,  gave  examples  of  unshaken  intre- 
^pidity.    It  was  not  supposed,  however,.that  this  would  be 
Jie  last  effort  of  tlie  British  seneral;  the  line  waa  instant- 
If  restored  and  the  wounqed  transpoi  :ed  to  tlie  rear. 
General  Scott^s  brigade,  during  this  period,  had  been  held 
in  reserve  under  colonel  Leavenworth,  colonel  Bradj 
havine  been  compelled,  by  the  severity  of  bis  v/ound,  to  re* 
Mgn  the  command ;  the  general's  brigade  major,  lieutenant 
Smith,  and  his  aid,  captain  Worth,  were  both  compelled 
to  retire  in  consequence  of  their  wounds ;  this  brigade 
was  uo^  ordered  to  move  to  Lundy's  Lane,  with  its  right 
on  the  Niagara  road. 

After  the  lapse  of  half  an  hour,  general  Drummond 
was  again  discovered  advancing  to  the  assault  with  jreno- 
vated  vigour.  The  precaution  at  first  adopted  by  general 
Ripley,  was  again  observed^  the  fire  of  thie  Americans 
was  dreadful,  and  the  artillery  of  majoc  llmdman,  serv* 
fd  with  great  skill,  would  have  taken  away  all  heart  on 
the  part  of  the  British  for  this  perilous  enterprise,  had 
Dot  the  example  beeu  set  them  by  ttie  Americans.  The 
Britiv  h  general  having  rallied  his  troops,  threw  himself 
with  his  whole  weight  upon  the  American  centre  $  he  walk 
firuily  received  by  the  gallant  twenty-first,  a  few  pla- 
tooDS  only  fauUerin^,  but  which  were  soon  restored  bj( 
general  Ripley.  Finding  that  no  impression  could  tie 
nade^  the  whole  British  line  again  recoiled,  and  fell  JitMll 


fi84 


HISTORY  OF  THE  WAIT. 


to  the  bottom  of  the  hill.  During  the  last  contcRt,  two 
gallant  charges  ^-ere  led  by  general  Scott  in  person, 
upon  the  enemy's  left  and  right  flanks,  with  hrs  consoli- 
dated battalion:  but  having  to  oppose  double  linos  of  in. 
fantry,  his  attempts,  which  would  have  been  decisive 
bad  they  proved  successful,  were  unavailing ;  they  |^ro- 
bably  contributed,  however,  in  shaking  the  British  line. 
The  general  himself,  being  severely  wounded  in  these 
charges,  although  he  had  hitherto  remained  unhurt  rlur- 
ing  tnis  perilous  combat,  was  compelled  to  quit  the  field, 
after  uniting  the  battalion  with  the  twenty -fifth,  and  plac- 
ing them  under  colonel  Leavenworth. 

Disheartened  by  ihese  repeated  defeats,  the  British 
were  on  the  point  jf  yielding  the  contest,  when  they 
received  fresh  reii  fortements  from  Fort  Niagara,  which 
revived  their  spirts,  and  induced  them  to  make  another 
and  still  more  desperate  struggle.  After  taking  an  hour 
to  refresh  themselves,  and  recovering  from  their  fatigue, 
they  advanced  with  a  new  and  more  extended  line,  and 
with  confident  hopes  of  being  able  to  overpower  the  Ame- 
ricans, worn  down  with  fatigue.  Our  countrymen  Imd 
stood  to  their  arms  during  all  this  time,  their  canteens 
exhausted,  and  many  almost  fainting  with  thirst;  and 
from  the  long  interval,  they  had  began  to  cherish  hopes 
that  the  enemy  bad  yielded.  In  this  they  were  disap- 
pointed I  but  on  discovering  the  approach  of  the  Britisn, 
their  courageous  spirit  returned,  and  they  resolved  never 
Vd  yield  the  glorious  trophies  of  their  victory,  until  they 
could  contend  no  longer.  The  British  delivered  their 
fire  at  the  same  distance  as  on  the  last  onset*,  which  wai 
returned  by  the  Americans  with  the  same  deadly  effect;, 
but  they  did  not  fall  back  with  the  same  precipitation, 
a  fresh  line  supplied  the  place  of  the  front,  and  the 
whole  steadily  advanced.  A  conflict,  dreadful  beyond 
description,  ensued;  the  twenty -first,  under  its  brave  lead* 
er,  firmly  withstood  the  shock.  The  right  and  Icftrepat* 
edl  V  fell  back,  but  were  again  rallied  by  the  general,  by 
colonels  Miller,  Nicholas  and  Jessup.  At  length  the  two 
lines  were  on  the  very  summit  of  the  hill,  which  they  con* 
teftteU  with  terrifick  violence  at  the  point  of  the  bayonet. 


HISTORY  OF  THE  WAR 


284* 


Uch  wts  the  obstinacy  of  the  contest,  that  many  batta- 

lioiiS)  on  botS  sidftt,  were  forced  back,  and  the  contending 

Lrties  became  minp;led  with  each  other.    Nothing  coulu 

aceed  the  desperation  of  the  conflict  %i  the  point  where 

Ihe  cannon  was  stationed.    The  enemy   liaving  forced 

himself  into  the  very  midst  of  major  liindman's  artillery* 

Itbis  officer  was  compelled  to  spike  two  of  his  pieces,  ana 

IfiS  warmly    engaged    across   the    carriages  and  guns. 

Geoeral  Ripley,  now  pressing  upon  the  enemy^s  flanks^ 

leompelled  them  to  give  way,  and  the  centre  soon  follow*^ 

'  og  the  example,  the  whole  British  line  fled  a  third  timCi 

lid  no  exertions  of  their  officers  could  restrain  them> 

itil  they  placed  themselves  out  of  the  reach  of  the  mui« 

letry  and  artillery.    The  British  being  now  completely 

faten,  retired  beyond  the  borders  of  the  field,  leaving 

t«ir  dead  and  wounded. 

General  Brown  had  received  two  severe  wounds  at 
ht  commencement  ef  the  last  charge,  and  was  compell- 
led  to  follow  general  Scott,   leaving  the  ^i^ommand   to 
rgiplev.    This  officer  had  made  repeated  efforts  to  ob- 
tiintne  means  of  removing  the  captured  artillery,  but 
the  horses  having  been  killed,  and  no  drag  ropes  to  be 
Nrocured,   it  was  delayed  until  after  the  last  contest^ 
vhen  orders  were  received  from  general  Brown,  to  col- 
lect the  wounded  and  return  to  camp.    The  British  can- 
ion  were  therefore  spiked,  and  the  smaller  pieces  rolled 
UowD  the  hill  by  major  Hindman,  who  returned  in  good 
order  with  his  corps ;  the  whole  reaching  camp  about  mid- 
loight.    It  is  much'  to  be  regretted  that  these  trophies  of 
JTictory  could   not  hav^  been  secured,  as  the    circum- 
litance  gave  occasion  to  the  British,  surprising  as  it  may 
Kern,  to  claim  tlie  victory.     To  high  praise  they  cer- 
linly  were  entitled,  but  to  claim  the  merit  of  *^  a  com- 
ilete  defeat  of  the  Americans,"  was   outna^ns  truth } 
Rod  to  be  complimented  for  this,   ought  to  infuse  the 
lUush  of  shame  into  the  cheek  of  an  honourable  soldier, 
rfhe  British  force  engaged  was  little  short  of  five  thoa- 
nnd  men,   inctudins  fifteen  hundred  militia   and   In- 
dians $  nearly  a  third  greater  than  that  of  the  Americans. 
The  loss  on  either  side  was  proportioned  to  the  nature 


Uj.a«!4:*a«j»,, 


266 


HISTORY  OF  THE  WAR. 


•f  this  dreailful  and  sanguinarj  battle  $  Ha  a^ej^t^ 
amounted  to  one  thousand  seveh  hundred  and  tweiity^ 
nine ;  and  the  killed  and  wounded  alone  to  one  thousand 
three  hundred  and  eiglity-four.      Oh  the  side  of  the  Bri- 
tish, one  assistant  adjutant-general,  one  captain,  tiuci 
subalterns,  and  )Kcventj-nine  non-commissioned  officers 
and.  privates,  were  killed  ;  lieutenant  general  DrummoiMl 
major  general  Riall,  and  three  lieatenant-eolonels,  twt 
majors,  eight  captains,  twenty-two  subalterns,  and  five 
hundred  non-com  (missioned  omcers    and    privates,  wen 
wounded:  the  prisoners  and  mis»ng,  one  aid-de-camt 
(captain  Loring)  five  ca|>tains,  nine  subalterns,  and  twi 
hundred  and  twenty  non-commissiuned  officers  and  prtt, 
vates ;  making  in  all  eight  hundred  and  seventy-eight  ineirJ 

In  the  records  of  the  most  bloody  wars  we  seldjuM 
meet  with  so  [;reat  a  number  of  officers  killed  and  wound] 
ed.    The  American  loss  was  one  major,  five  captains,  fiva 
subalterns,  and  one  hundred  and  fiUy-nine  non-commigl 
sioned  officers  and  privates,  killed  ;  major  general  BrovnJ 
Brigadier  generals  Scott  and  Porter,  two  aids-de-cam]^ 
one  brigade  major,  one  colonel,  four  lieutenant-colonels, 
one  major,  seven  captains,  thirty-seven  subalterns,  woi 
five  hundred  and  fitteeq  non-commissioned  officers  andl 
privates,  wounded;  aiujl  one  brigade  major,  onecaptainJ 
six  subalterns,  and  one  hundred  and  two  non-cotninisJ 
sioned  officers  and  privates,  missing;   making  a  grendl 
total  of  eight  hundred  and  fifty -one,  and  a  ditterenceof| 
twen^-seven  only,  between  the  contending  parties. 

On  arriving  at  the  camp,  the  commander  in  chief  or<| 
dered  general  Hipiey  to  refresh  the  troops  and  proceed 
^le  ground  in  the  morning,  and  to  engage  the  enemy  ifi 
circumstances  permitted.  On  eiaiiiiniue  his  troops,  ge<| 
serai  fiipiey  found  that  he  had  but  fifteen  iiundred  menf 
i4>r  duty ;  and  r«;cunnoitrin|^  the  enemy,  he  found  then 
drawn  up  in  their  first  position,  presenting  a  formidablel 
appearance;  it  therefore  would  have  been  madness,  withl 
bis  men  in  their  present  state,  to  have  renewed  the  cora*! 
b&t;  and  he  properly  declined  it  His  conduct  was  hastiljrl 
censured  by  general  Brown,  in  his  despatches  ift  the  goJ 
vennnent;  and* general  Kipley,  unfortuoatelfy  bad  foril 


'$ 


HISTORY  OF  THE  WAR. 


587 


foDgiime  to  contend  with  the  flibloqny  of  pubtick  opinion } 
it  was  not  until  lateljthat  the  full  extent  of  his  merit 
Las  known;   it  i«  now  generally  ackr   .vledged,  that 
Uuch  of  the  praise,  of  the  most  hrilliant  victory  that  ever 
Lonrned  our  arms  on  the  land)  is  due  to  the  skill  and  va» 
Uarof  this  officer. 
General  Ripley,  finding  himself  unable  to  make  a^stand 
inst  the  superiour  force  of  the  British,  retf«ateJ  to 
t  Erie,  and  anticipating  the  approach  of  the  enemy,  im* 
Ifediately  set  about  extending  its  defences.    The  enemy, 
otmtstanding  their  pretended  victory,   did  not  think 
loper  to  follow  up  the  Americans,  until  they  had  been 
itinforced  by  general  De  Watteviile,  with  upwards  of  a 
bovsand  men,  their  whole  force  about  £ve  thousand. 
Fhls  formidable  body,  appeared  on  the  third  of  August, 
ifore  a  fortification  which,  a  few  days  previously,  had 
ten  considered  untenable,  and  commenced  with  regular 
|^)proache8,  hopeless  of  being  able  to  prevail  otherwise 
liin  by  a  formal  siege.    The  besieged,  at  the  same  time, 
tjiboured  incessantly  to  complete  their  defences.    The 
{position  which  the  American  army  had  taken,  for  the  pur- 
pose of  defending  itself  against  so  great  a  superiority,  pos« 
lessed  few  natural  advantages,  and  the  work  called  Fort 
|£rie  v/as  little  more  than  a  small  unfinished  redoubt. 
I  It  was  situated  about  one  hundred  yards  from  tbe  lake 
ihore  at  its  nearest  anele,  and  on  a  plain  of  about  fifteen 
I  feet  elevation.    The  fort  could  be  considered  as  nothing 
j  more  than  the  strongest  point  of  a  fortified  camp,  for 
liiii'' of  works  was  yet  to  be  constrjicteil  in  front,  and 
hntending  to  the  ri^ht  and  left  to  the  lake ;  tire  rear  da 
Sthe  shore  being  left  open.     The  fort  itself  probably  did 
kot  occupy  more  than  a  sixtli   of  the  space  taken  up 
JiD  the  line  of  defences  :   the  remainder  could  not  be 
|«therwise  tlian  hastily  constructed,  and  indeed  notwith- 
ritaiiding  the  slow  and  cautious  approaches  of  the  British, 
[much  of  it  was  left  incomplete  until  the  last  moment. 

Abnut  the  same  time  a  party  crossed  tlie  Niagara,  for 
(he  purpose  of  attacking  Buifaloe,  and  recapturing  ge- 
neral KialL    This  party,  und^r  colonel  Tucker^  was  re« 


S8§ 


histohy  of  thb  war. 


pulsed  by  mi^or  Moi^an,  with  a  detachment  of  two  bim., 
dred  and  forty  men,  although  reioforced  by  a  regiment  J 
In  this  affair  captain  Hamilton,  and  lieutenants  Wadgil 
worth  and  Mcintosh,  were  killed.  I 

.  The  defences  of  Fort  Erie  were  sufficiently  completed  J 
by  the  seventh,  to  keep  at  bay  an  enemy,  who  had  by  thi  J 
time  learned  to  respect  our  arms,  and  trom  this  day,  un-j 
til  the  fourteenth,  there  was  an  almost  incessant  cannon^ 
ade  with  the  enemy's  batteries,  who  were  gradually  gaM.I 
ing  ground.    In  the  frequent  skirmishes  which  took  place] 
between  the  outposts  and  reconnoitring  parties,  the  Ame^l 
rieans  were  {2;enerally  victorious .;  in  on^  of  them,  how* 
ever,  they  lost  inajor  Morgan,  a  brave  officer,  who  waa 
sincerely  lamented.     Geneial  Gaines  had  arrived  shortly 
after  the  commencement  of  tfie  siege,  and  being  the  se*| 
nior  officer,  assumed  the  compiand.    On  the  night  of  the! 
fourteenth,  general  Ripley,  perceiving  a  bustle  in  tkj 
British  camp,  conceived  that  an  assault  was  about  tu  be] 
made  ;  he  despatched  a  messenger  with  this  intelligencej 
to  general  Gaines,  who  was  already  apprised  of  it ;  dis*] 
positions  were  rapidly  made,  and  the  troops  manifested] 
great  enthusiasm  to  engage  the  assailants.  | 

General  Orummond  had  made  arrangements  to  assail 
every  part  of  the  American  fortifications  at  tlie  same  in- 
stant; and  general  Gaines,  not  knowing  where  the  ene- 
my would  make  his  attack,  was  prepared  to  meet  him  at 
every  point.    The  fort  and  bastions  were  placed  under 
the  command  of  captain  Williams,  of  the  artillery:  the 
battery  on  the  lake  was  assigned  to  captain  Douglass; 
a  blockhouse,  near  the  salient  bastion,  was  occupied  by 
major   Trimble ;  the  batteries  in  front,   under  captains] 
Biddleand  1  anning,  supported  by  general  Porter;  and  I 
the  whole  of  the  artillery  throughout  the  garrison,  underl 
major  Hindnian.   The  first  bri^^atle,  consis^ting  of  parts  of] 
the  11th,  9th,  22nd' infantry,  lately  commanded  byge*| 
neral  Scott,  nOw  under  colonel  Aspin>vall,  was  posted 
«n  the  right ;  and  general  Ripley's  brigade,  supported 
Towson's  battery  £nd  the  lino,  upon  the  left.     A  few 
hours  before  tlie  commencement  of  the  assault,  one  ot\ 
the  enemy's  shells  exploded  a  magazine  witliin  the  Ame- 


■^ 


mSTOUY  OF  THE  WAR.^  289 

I  rican  works,  which  was  succeeded  by  a  loud  shout  from 
the  besiegers,  under  the  belief  that  the  magazine  of  the 
Urt  had  blown  up.  The  shout  was  returned  bj  the  Ame- 
ricans, and  captain  Williams,  amid  the  smoke  of  the  ex« 
flosion,  renewed  the  contest  by  an  animated  roar  of  his 

Kftvy  guns. 

Athalf  after  two  in  the  morning,  the  approach  of  the 
tnemy's  right  column,  which  was  one  thousand  three  hun- 
itd  strong,  was  distinctly  heard  on  the  left  of  the  gar* 
lison.  In  this  quarter  nothing  but  a  line  of  loose  brush, 
representing  an  abattis,  intervened.  The  second  brigade 
lajor  Wood  commanding  the  21st)  and  Towson's  ar- 
llery,  were  ready  to  receiv^  them.  -The  British,  under 
itonel  Fischer,  were  permitted  to  approach  within  a  short 
iitance,  when  a  tremendous  fire  was  opened  upon  them, 
iuid their  column  fell  back  in  confusion.  The  colonel} 
lying  his  men,  advanced  furiously  to  the  attack  ;  but 
}  again  compelled  to  retire,  with  still  greater  loss.  The 
session  of  this  battery  being  essential  to  the  general 
|lan  of  assault,  he  next  essayed  to  pass  the  abattis  bj 
iwadiog  in4he  lake ;  but  in  this  unsuccessful  attempt, 
|tearly  two  hundred  of  his  men  were  either  killed  or 
irowned,  and  the  remainder  fled  to  tiie  encampment. 

The  other  of  the  enemy's  columns  having  waited  until 
tke  first  was  completely  engaged,  (presuming  that  their 
own  operations  would  by  that  means  be  facilitated)  colo- 
Iroel  Scott  now  approached  on  the  right  along  the  lake, 
while  colonel  Drummond,  who  had  taken  advantage  of  a 
nvine  which  lay  between  the  hostile  camps,  at  the  same 
tnent  rose  up,  and  advanced  to  the  assault  in  front. 
ilonel  Scott  was  checked  by  the  Douglass  battery,  and 
ptains  Broughton  and  Harding's  New-York  and  Penn- 
Ivania  volunteers,  the  ninth  infantry  under  captain 
nter,  and  a  six>pounder  under  the  direction  of  colonel 
^Ree.    Their  fire  was  so  well  directed,  that  the  U)* 
aching  column  paused  at  the  distance  of  fifty  yarcTS) 
id  then  recoiled.     The  column  of  colonel  Drummond^ 
wever,  composed  of  eight  hundred  select  troops,  firm* 
ly  advanced  to  the  point  of  the  fort  which  was  strength- 
^  by  a  temporary  parapet  breast-work,  with  two  Sat« 

25 


■'a.j6i;iite.,j.  . 


290 


HISTORY  OF  THE  WAR. 


tones  and  six  field  pieces.    Suddenly  applying  Ins  seal 
ing  ladders,  he  mounted  the  parapet,  his  officers  callinl 
out  to  the  line  at  the    Douglass  battery  to  cease  firin-^l 
this  artifice,  for  a  few  moments  succeeded ;  the  Ameri! 
cans  supposing  the  order  to  cume  from  their  own  officers] 
suftered  colonel  Scott,  who  had  rallied  his  men,  to  anj 
proach  their  line,  by  which  the  trick  was  discovered  •  ij 
Jiowever  availed  nothing,  for  this  column  was  assailed 
.with  80  much  eft'ect,  as  to  be  compelled  again  to  retreat, 
with  the  Ipss  of  its  commander  and  a  third  of  its  numbers] 
The  front  column  was,  in  the  mean  whil^,  with  great  dif 
ficulty  thrown  back,  and  the  troops  Within  the  fort  rer 
reinforced  from  general  Ripley's  brigade,  and  genera 
Porter's  volunteers.     Repeated  assaults  were  madebl 
colonel  Drummond,  and  repulsed  by  colonel  Hindman 
artillery,  and  the  infantry  under  major  Trimble.    Aftei 
the  defeat  of  colonel  Scott's  column,  liuetenant  Douglasi 
was  engaged  in  giving  such  directions  to  his  guns,  as  ti 
cut  off  the  communication  between  colonel  l)rummon 
and  the  rescive  intended  for  his  support,  under  colon 
Tucker. 

Colonel  Drummond,  although  three  times  repulse 
was  unwilling  to  renounce  his  undertakicg.    Avaiiini 
himself  of  the  darkness  of  the  hour,  which  was  increasi 
eil  by  the  smoke^e  stole  silently  along  the  ditch,  arn 
Siddenly  applying  his  ladders  once  more,  rapidly  gaine 
the  parapet,  crying  out  to  his  men  to  rush  forwani,  an 
in  the  elegant  phrase,  in  which  tiie  Urilish  are  in  theh 
bit  of  expressing  tjieir  esteem  for  i\»,^ive  the  d — d  Vai 
keys  no  quarters!     This  order  was  liiithfully  executed 
and  the  most  furious  striie  now  ensued  that  had  bee 
witnessed  since  the  couimencement  of  the  assault.    Al 
the  efforts  of  uiajor  Hindman,  and  the  corps  suppuiti 
him,  could   not  dislodge  tlie  enemy  from  the  bastioi 
though  he  could  approach  no  further.    Captain  Williatii 
was  mortally  wounded ;  lieutenants  VVatmouth  and  M>l)i 
vough,  severely;  the  latter,  no  longer  able  to  fight,  caile 
-for  quarter?.     This  was  positively  refused  bv  colon 
Drummond,  who  repeated  his   instructions  to  his  tro()[ 
to  deny  it  in  every  instance.    The  declining  and  alinoj 


HISTORY  OF  THE  WAR. 


291 


exhausted  strength  and  spirits  of  the  lieutenant,  beina;  re- 
Stored  and  roused  by  the  shocking  barbarity  (»f  tins  order., 
he»ei''«^pd  a  handspike,  and  with  the  desperati<»n  of  mail- 
Less,  defended  himself  against  the  assailants,  until  he  waai 
liiot  by  the  colonel  himself.    This  nian  survived  an  act, 
Itliat  was  little  better  than  assassination,  only  a  few  mi- 
nutes ;  he  received  a  ball  in  his  breast,  which  terminat- 
ed his  inglorious  life.    Brutal  courage  deserves  only  our 
jabliorrence;  it  is  only  when  tempered  v/ith  mercy,  that 
Iwlour  is  estimable  among  men.     The  eneniy  still  main- 
lined their  position,  notwithstanding  the  deatl»  of  their 
leader,  and  repulsed  every  attempt  to  dislodge  them  u»« 
|1  day-liglit;  they  had,  in  the  mean  time,  suffered  exces- 
kively ;  and  the  contest  along  the  whole  line  of  defences, 
Iwith  this  exception,  having  ceased,  considerable  reinforce- 
Iwents  were  ordered  up.    The  enemy  began  at  last  to  i-e- 
[coil,  and  many  were  tnrown  over  the  bastion.    The  Bri- 
|tirii  reserve  was  now  expected  to  come  up  to  their  sup- 
Iportj  the  result,  however,  by  this  time,  scarcely  admit- 
ted a  doubt.    The  cannon  of  the  Douglass  battery  in fi- 
laded  their  approach,  and  tiie  artillery  of  lieutenant  Fan- 
[ning  already  played  upon  them  with  great  effect.    A  part 
of  the  reserve  was  about  to  advance,  when  an  explusiuti 
took  place  under  the  platform,  which  carried  away  the 
bastion  and  all  who  were  on  it.     The  reserve  fell  back, 
ind  the  contest,  in  a  short  time,  terminated  in  the  en- 
tire defeat  of,  the  enemy. 

The  British  left  on  the  field  two  hundred  nnd  twenty- 
two  killed,  among  them  fourteen  officers  of  distinction  ; 
one  hundred  and  seventy-four  wounded,  and  one  hun- 
iiired  and  eighty-six  prisoners,  making  a  total  of  five  him- 
[dred  and  eighty-two.    I'he  official  statement  of  gener.J 
Drummond  makes  it  in  all  nine  hundred  nnd  five.    Tti^ 
[American  loss  amounted  to  seventeen  killed,   fifty-i  x 
wounded;  and   one  lieutenant    (Fontain),  thrown    out 
while  defending  the  bastion,  and  ten  privates,  prisoners; 
[in  all,  eighty  four  men.     It  was  not  until  all  hopes  of  car- 
rying the  fort  were  at  an  end,  that  they  deigned  to  take 
(prisoners  of  a  few  wounded  men,   who   fell   into  their 
power. 


s»st 


HISTORY  OF  THE  WAR. 


The  explosion  furnished  the  British  with  an  exf.use  k 
iaeir  defeat ;  and  they  represented  its  consequences 
much  more  serious  than  thev  really  werei  in  order  m, 
bear  them  out;  but  it  is  well  known,  that  the  assault  had 
already  failed  in  every  part,  and  the  small  body  of  men  inl 
possession  of  the  outer  oastioD,  could  not  expect  to  sub-l 
due  the  whole  garrison.  Nor  was  the  nuinb<ir  kiUed  byl 
tl)e  explosion  so  greev  as  represented.  The  slaughter  Jl 
Ike  enemy  took^  place  during  the  assault*  which  had  alrciiJ 
dy  lasted  upwards  of  an  hour.  But  is  it  not  wonderful 
tliat  an  enemy,  who  intended  to  put  the  garrison  tn  th 
t^vord  without  merey,  should  complain  of  any  mode  c. 
aDnoyance  which  would  prevent  the  perpetration  of  thei^ 
fell  design  ?  ^ 

The  enem^  now  remained  quiet  in  his  entrenchments 
until  he  received  a  reinforcement  of  two  regiments,  when 
he  continued  to  assail  tiie  fort  from  his  batteries,  widj 
little  intermission,  until  the  latter  end  of  August.  Aboul 
this  time  general  Gaines  was  severely  wounded  by  the 
bursting  of  a  shell,  which  compelled  him  to  retire 
Buffaloe. 

The  situation  of  the  army  m  Fort  Elrie  bad  begun  t«| 
excite  considerable  uneasiness ;  but  the  operations  of  Sir! 
George  Prevost,  about  this  lime,  in  the  vicinity  ot  Chaui.l 
|}lain  and  Plattsburg,  rendered  it  for  sometime  very  unJ 
certaiA  whether  any  relief  could  be  sent  by  general  izatil. I 
It  afterwards  appeared,  that  orders  had  been  given  m 
this  officer  by  the  secretary  of  war,  but  he  was  prevent*! 
edy  by  a  variety  of  causes,  from  proceeding  as  rapidly  asl 
couldi  have  been  desired.  The  troops,  however,  werel 
dVdy  strengthened  by  the  arrival  of  militia  and  volun*! 
teers  $  and  general  Brown,  having  sufficiently  recovei-edl 
from  his  \';ounds,  returned  to  the  command.  The  sieffe] 
still  continued  with  vigour  on  the  part  of  the  British,  \&\ 
had  abandoned  tlie  idea  of  carrying  the  place  otherwlsel 
than  by  regular  approaches,  although  their  force  had  beeal 
considerwly  augmented  since  tlieir  last  defeat.  The  Amc-I 
ricans  laboured,  with  no  less  assiduity,  to  complete  theiti 
fortifications :  freauept  skit-mkshes  occurred,  and  a  can*! 
nonade  on  either  side  ^vas  kept  up,  but  nothing  of  impar' 


HISTORY  OF  THE  WAR. 


29S 


llgnee  took  place  until  the   seventeenth  of  Septemben 
General  Brown  observing  that  the  enemy  had  just  com- 
peted a  battery,  which  couM  oper  a  most  destructive 
fire  the  next  day,  planned  a  sortie,  which  has  been  con- 
lidered  a  military  chef  d'ceuvre.    The  British  force  coD" 
listed  of  three  brigades,  of  one  thousand  five  hundred 
oen  each,  one  of  which  was  stationed  at  the  works  in 
I  front  of  Fort  Erie,  the  other  two  occupied  a  camp  two 
Iviles  hi  the  rear.    The  design  of  general  Brown  was  to 
Ustorih  the  batteries,  destroy  tne  cannon,  and  roughly  han- 
Ule  the  brigade  on  dutv,  before  those  in  reserve  could  be 
[iroaght  up."  -A  road  had  previously  been  opened  by 
lieutenants  Riddle  and  Frazer,  in  a  circuitous  course 
Ithrough  the  woods,  within  pistol  shot  of  the  flank  of  the 
line  of  batteries,  and  with  such  secresy  as  to  have  escap- 
m  Uie  notice  of  the  enemy.    At  two  o'clock  the  troops 
[%ere  drawn  up  in  readiness  to  make  the  sortie.    The  ai» 
[mdil  commanded  by  general  Porter,  was  composed  of 
I  riflemen  and  Indians,  (under  colonel  Gibson,)  and  two 
tolumns,  one  on  the  rignt  commanded  by  colonel  Woody 
tiie  left  commanded  by  general  Davis,  of  the  New-York 
niiitia;  this  was  to  proceed  through  the  woods  by  the 
road  wfkich  had  been  opened,  while  the  right  division  of 
the  troops,  in  the  ravine  already  mentioned,  was  to  be 
lUtioned  between  the  fort  and  the  enemy's  works,  under 
KDeral  Miller,  with  orders  not  to  advance  until  general 
I  Porter  should  have  engaged  their  flank. 

Tne  command  of  general  Porter  advanced  with  so 

JBUch  celerity  and  caution,  that  when  they  rushed  upon 

the  eiiemy's  flank,  they  gave  the  first  intimation  of  their 

ipproach.     A  severe  conflict  for  a  moment  ensued,  in 

ivhich  those  gallant  officers,  colonel  Gibson  and  colonel 

Wood,  fell  at  the  head  of  their  columns:  and  the  com* 

I  Band  devolved  on  lieutenant  colonel  McDonald  and  ma- 

lior  Brooks.    In  thirty  minutes,  possession  was  taken  of 

iNth  batteries  in  this  quarter,  together  with  a  block  house 

tin  the   rear,    and  the  garrison  made  prisoners.    Three 

hwehty-four  pounders  were  rendered  useless,  and  their 

magazuie  blown  up  bv  lieutenant  Riddle,  who  narrowlj 

escaped  tlie  (iilects  of  tlie  explosion.    At  this  nu)menttfaC0 

25* 


w^ 


294 


HISTORY  OF  THE  WAU. 


division  ef  general  Miller  came  up;  general  Brown hav. 
ing  heard  the  firing,  had  ordered  it  to  advance.    In  cnn<' 
juncti'^n  "vith  colonel  Gibson's  column,  he  pierced  bet^reen 
the  second  and  third  line  of  batteries,  and  after  a  severe 
contest,  carried  the  first  of  these ;  in  this  assault  general 
Davis  fell  at  the  iiead  of  his  volunteers.    The  whole  of  I 
these  batteiies,  and  the  two  block-houses,  being  in  the 
possession  of  the  Americans,  general  Miller's  division 
inclined  to  the  more  formidable  oatteries  ioward  the  lake 
shore ;  at  this  moment  thej  were  joined  by  the  reserve  J 
under  general  Ripley.   Hrrre  the  resistan.^e  was  Hiore  ob»j 
stinate,  the  work  being  exceedingly  intricatCy  from  the] 
successive  lines  of  intrenchments,  contrived  with  studied] 
complexity ;  a  constant  use  of  the  bayonet  wa&  the  only] 
mode  of  assailing  them ;   the  enemy  had  also,  by  this] 
time,   received  considerable  reinforcements.     General! 
Miller  continued  to  advance,  although  suffering  severe] 
loss  in  some  of  his  valuable  officers ;  colonel  Aspiir'^valn 
was  badly  wounded,  and  major  Trimble  dangeru'jgly.j 
The  2 1st,  under  lieutenant  colonel  Upham,  forming  a 
part  of  the  reserve,   and  part  of  the  irth,  uniting  with 
the  corps  of  general  Miller,  charged  rapidly  upon  the  re- 
maining battery,  which  was  instantly  abandoned  by  the 
British  infantry  and  artillery.    General  Ripley  now  or- 
dered a  line  to  be  formed  for  the  piotection  of  the  detach* 
jnents  engaged  in  destroying  the  batteries,  and  was  en- 1 
gaged  in  making  arrangements  for  following  up,  against] 
thfc  rear  of  ge.'«eral  Drummond,  the  8ucre:-<s  which  had] 
so  far  transcended    expectation,    w\\  n  he  received  a 
wound  in  the  neck,  and  fell  by  the  side  of  major  Brooks: 
he  was  immediately  transported  to  the  Fort.    The  ob- 
jects of  the  sortie  liavin»  been  completely  effected,  gene- 
ral Miller  called  in  bis  detachments,  and  retired  in  gooilj 
order,  with  the  prisoners,  and  the  trophies  of  this  sig- 
nal exploit.    Thus,  in  a  few  hour«,  the  result  of  forty- 
s^ven  aays  incessant  labour  was  destroyed ;  and  in  addi- 
tion to  the  loss  of  their  cannon,  upwards  of  a  thousand  I 
of  their  men  were  placed  hors  de  combat.    The  Aiiveri- 
can  loss  amounted  to  83  killed,  216  wounded,  and  a  like 
KUmbcr  missing.     Besides  the  gallant  officers  already] 


lUSTORY  OF  THE  WAR. 


^S 


peationed,  several  others  of  great  merit  fell  on  this  oc« 

casion  y  captain  Arnii»tead,  of  the  rifle  corps  ;  Hal),  of 

I  the  Uth  infantry  ;  Bradford,  of  the  21st,  and    Biiel.  of 

the  volunteers  ;  Ensign  0*Fiing,  of  the  23rd  infantry,  a 

meritorious  officer;  and   lieutenants  Brown,   Belicnap,- 

and  Biakesley,  of  tne  volunteers.     The  loss  on  the  part 

of  the  British  has  not  been  accurately  ascertained,  but 

'auat  have  been  very  great,  385  were  taken  prisoners. 

|a  ftfw  days  after  this  splendid  victory  on  the  part  of  the 

iBritish,  lor  as  such  it  was  claimed  by  them,  they  broke 

[bP  their  encampment;  and  marches  lo  tort  George  I 

[•  Soon  after  this  aflfair,  general  Izard  arrived  with  rein- 

Ijbrcements  from  Piattshurg,  and  being  the  senior  officer, 

Lperseded  general  Brown  in  the'  command.    By  this 

liccession  of  force,  and  the  completion  of  the  defences  of 

iFort   Erie,    all  apprehensions  of  any  further  attempt 

jigainst  it  were  removed.  About  the  latter  end  of  July,  the 

li^cretary  at  war,  hearing  that  the  British  were  sending 

Istroug  reinforcements  from  Montreal  to  Kingston,  had  ir- 

Itiinatcd  to  general  Izard,  the  propriety  of  moving  the  priA- 

uipiil  part  of  his  force  to  Sackett^s  Harbour  for  the  purpose 

it  funuing  a  junction  with  general  Gain'is,  of  tiireatening 

jPrescott  and  Kingston,and  at  the  same  time  detaching  a 

mrt  of  his  force  to  the  aid  of  general  Brown,  in  the  prosC* 

(ution  of  'lis  part  of  the  campaign.  In  pursuance  of  this  in-- 

kuation,  the  general  moved  to  Sackett's  Harbour,  with 

nearly  all  iiis  etfective  force,  amounting  to  four  thousand 

men,  where  he  arrived  on  the  seventeenth  of  September. 

The  events  which  had  in  the  mean  time  occurred,  and  wiiich 

have  been  already  detailed,  had  given  a  new  face  to  the 

campaign.     Shortly  before  the  arrival  of  the  general,  he 

liad  received  a  letter  from  general  Brown,  giving  informa- 

mn  of  his  critical  position,  ani  calling  for  speedy  relief. 

It  was  not  before  the  20th,  that  general  Izard  was  enabled 

to  embark  his  troops,  and  it  was  sometime  in  October  be- 

fore  he  actually  reached  Fort  Erie.    It  will  be  seen,  (in 

a  subsequent  chapter)  that  the  post  which  he  left  ,ivas, 

soon  after  his  departure,  placed  in  a  siiuation  as  critical 

as  thut  which  had  come  to  relieve.    These  are  the  una- 


itB9 


HISTORY  0?  THE  WAK. 


voidable  cross  purposes,  resulting  from  the  prosecution 
of  a  war  with  a  handful  of  men,  along  a  frontier  of  such 
immense  extoQt,  and  ^^f  *"iurdity  of  expecting  these 
•mall  corps  to  march  \  f  mutual  relief,  or  to  act 

on  concerted  plans,  at  the  distaiice  of  four  or  five  hun- 
dred  miles,  subject  to  innumerable  contingencies.    For. 
tunately,  before  the  arrival  of  general  Izaixl,  the  success 
of  the  sortie  planned  by  general  Brown,  had  compelled 
the  enemy  to  raise  the  siege.    The  approach  of  general 
Izard,  in  all  probability,  contributed  somewhat  to  this 
event.    Leaving  a  sufficient  garrison  under  colonel  Hind- 
man,  the  army  moved  towards  Chippewa,  to  operate  of- 
fensively against  the  enemy ;  but  nothing  of  moment  was 
achieved  for  some  time,  in  consequence  of  their  acquire^ 
shyness.  Before  the  close  of  the  campaign,  a  gallant  affair 
was  achieved  by  general  Bissil,  of  the  second  brigade  of  the] 
first  division.  On  the  eighteenth  of  October,  he  was  detach' 
td  with  nine  hundred  men«  to  the  neighbourhood  of  Cook's  | 
i9ills,at  Lyon's  creek,for  the  pu rpose  of  destrojrlng  the  ene- 
my's stores  in  that  quarter.  After  driving  in  a  picket  guard,! 
and  capturing  its  officers,  he  threw  across  tne  creek  two 
light  companies, 'under  captains  Dorman  and  Horrell, 
anU  a  rifle  company  under  captain  Irvine,  and  then  en- 
camped.   The  next  morning  the  detachment  was  attack* 
cd  by  the  Marquis  of  Tweedale,  with  twelve  hundred 
men  :  the  companies  on  the  other  side  of  the  creek  re* 
reived  the  enemy's  fire,  and  sustained  their  attack  un- 
til general  Bissil  had  formed  his  men,  and  brought  them  I 
to  meir  support.  Colonel  Pinkney,  with  the  fifth,  was  or- 1 
dered  to  turn  the  enemy's  right  nank,  and  cut  off  a  piece 
of  artillery  which  had  been  brought  into  action,  while  { 
major  Bernard  advanced  in  front,  and  was  recommend- 
ed to  make  a  free  use  of  the  bajonet.    These  orders  | 
were  rapidly  carried  into  execution.     The  whole  line  I 
began    to  recoil,  and    the  reserve,   composed  of  the 
fifteenth,  under  in^or  Grindage,  and  the  sixteenth  under  i 
colopel  Pearce,  was  no  sooner  discovered  advancing,  thaa 
the  Marquis  gave  orders  to  retreat  to  his  intrenchments 
at  the  mouth  of  the  river ;  he  fell  back  in  disorder,  leav* 
i^g  his  kilkd  and  wounded  behind*    After  pursuing  a  I 


HISTORY  OF  THE  WAR. 


m 


loiall  distance^  general  Bissil  proceeded  to  the  execu* 
tion  of  his  orders,  in  the  destruction  of  the  stores  at  the 
MHls ;  after  which  he  retreated,  with  a  loss  of  sixtj^-sa- 
yeo  killed,  wounded  and  missing. 
Soon  after  this  afTairy  the  weather  growing  cold,  and 
le  season  for  mili^ary  operations  drawing  tb  a  close,  it 
I  was  deterignined  to  transport  the  whole  army  to  the  Ame- 
rican side;   which  was  accordingly  effected,  after  the 
destruction  of  the  fort.    The  troopa  were  distributed  at 
iBuifaloe,  Black  Rock,  and  Batavia. 

Thus  terminated  the  tliird  invasion  of  Canada,  if  it  can 
[be  properly  called  so  '^  for  it  was  not  generally  expected 
jjhat  any  thins  further  would  be  accomplished,  than  keep- 
jipg  in  check  tne  forces  of  the  enemy,  and  regaining  what 
tire  had  lost  on  our  own  side.    At  the  opening  of  the  cam- 
||iign,  general  Brown  indulged  a  hope  of  being  able,  iia 
leonjunction  with  commodore  Chauncey,  to  subdue  the 
iBritish  forces  in  the  neighbourhood  of  iJake  Ontario,  and 
[possess  himself  of  Kingston  ;  but  towards  the  beginninjg 
hi  jKtttssin,  so  material  a  change  had  oc^'irr**!  ifi  e«r  ?»• 
[tattion,  in  consequence  of  the  great  augmentation  of  the 
British  force  on  our  borders,  and  the  invasions  of  our  ter* 
ritory  on  tlie  sea  coast,  and  the  Canada  frontier,  that  ail 
I  idea  of  making  an  impression  on  Canada,  with  Uie  force 
then  on  foot,    was  abandoned.    It  was  stated  by  the 
friends  of  the  administration,  that  the  best  mode  of  pro- 
tecting the  Atlantic  coast,  was  to  threaten  Canada,  by 
which  means.  Great  Britain  would  be  compelled  to  con- 
ceotrate  the  greater  part  of  her  force,  in  that  province, 
pie  American  regulars  did  not  exceed  ten  thousand, 
while  those  of  the  British,  it  has  since  been  ascertained, 
exceeded  twenty  thousand,  nearly  all  veterans.    The 
whole  American  army  distributed  m  the  different  Atlan- 
tic citiies,  would  not  aiford  much  dependence  for  defence, 
from  the  troops  which  might  be  sent  against  tihem,  if  Great 
Britain  had  been  relieved  from  the  defence  of  Canada. 
As  to  the  conquest  of  this  province,  it  is  very  questiona- 
ble whether  it  would  materially  have  benefitted  us.     It  i» 
Nell  known  that  it  contains  the  bitterest  enemies  to  tiie 
Anneric^ikn  government  and  people,  many  of  whom  flee). 


Ml 


ij 


V      ; 


^8 


HISTORY  OP  THE  WAR. 


from  this  country  durinz  the  contest  for  independence, 
and  it  is  not  likely  that  they  would  willingly  be  incorpu! 
rated  into  our  repuhlick. 

The  most  important  results,  however,  followed  (he 
campaign  on  the  Niagara.  The  developement  of  the 
character  of  American  troops,  under  proper  discipline, 
was  productive  of  as  much  honour  to  this  country, 
as  of  surprise  to  tlie  enemy.  During  the  two  first  years 
there  was  scarcely  time  to  form  officers,  and  durrng  the 
last  period  of  the  war  the  army  vas  con. posed  of  better 
materials  ;  the  aversion  for  enlistment  was  gradually 
subsiding,  and  commissions  were  sought  by  voung  meo 
of  education  and  talents  ;  another  year  would  have  giv' 
en  an  army,  which  Great  Britain  might  have  regarded 
with  some  uneasiness.  That  spirit,  which  bestows  supe. 
riority  to  man  in  every  station,  was  beginning  to  discover 
its  resistless  power ;  and  the  closing  scenes  of  this  cam* 
paign, placed  the  army  on  a  level  with  the  heroick  charac- 
ter of  the  navy.  What  is  that  spirit  ?  it  is  the  spirit  of 
freedom ;  it  is  that  which  gives  consciouti  dignilv  and 
worth  to  the  soldier  and  the  citizen.  It  is  that  which  gave 
vie'  ries  to  Greece,  and  gained  triumphs  for  Rome,  atul 
which  has  carried  the  power  of  Britain  round  the  globe. 
This  enobling  spirit  animated  the  sons  of  freedom, 
and  gave  them  power  to  conquer  in  two  pitched  battles, 
on  ground  choisen  by  the  veteran  troQps  of  England.  It 
was  this  which  inspired  them  with  courage  in  tiieir  de- 
fence, when  besieged  by  a  force  vastly  superiour,  for 
every  man  knew  that  he  could  not  return  to  mingle  with 
his  countrymen  without  honour  or  disgrace.  It  was  this 
spirit  which  inspired  them  with  heroick  ardour,  to  salty 
forth,  and,  in  one  daring  exploit,  confound  all  the  efforts 
of  their  enemies.  Such  was  the  valour  which  they  dis* 
played,  that  it  was  declared  bj  the  British  ofiicers  who 
naa  seen  severe  service  in  Spain,  that  they  had  never  en- 
countered men  like  these.  Btit  Britain  falls  far  below 
Asierica  in  the  liberality  and  wisdom  of  her  institutions. 
"Worth  here,  alone,  is  nobility.  Our  Hulls,  our  Decaturs, 
cue  Browns,  our  Scotts  or  Ripleys,  are  not  obliged  liice 
the  Wellingtons  or  Nelsons,  to  share  their  well  earoed 


S 


HISTORY   OF  THE  WAR.' 


&^9 


honours^  with  the  creatures  of  accident ;  perhaps  with  the 
worthless  descendants  of  worthless  ancestors.  I  am  far 
fioin  supposing  that  there  is  no  intrinsick  good  among  the 
hereditary  English  nobility,  but  certainly  too  nnany  of 
them  arel)orn  only  to  usurp^  the  place  of  merit,  anu  in- 
dulge the  most  idle  and  vicious  propensities.  It  was 
proved  to  the  world,  that  we  could  conquer  upon  the  land 
as  well  as  upon  the  sea.  The  battles  of  Niagara  and 
Chippewa,  were  both  won  by  a  combination  of  military 
skill  and  personal  courace  ;  tlie  defence  of  Erie,  and  the 
gertie,  if  achieved  by  the  arms  of  Great-Britain,  would 
have  been  ranked  amongst  the  most  distinguished  acts  of 
valour,  since  even  their  defeats  are  deemed  worthy  of 
applause.  They  have  at  last  condescended  to  place  us 
on  an  equality  with  them,  the  nation  which  never  owned 
in  equal  before ;  they  have  even  arrogated  to  themselves  a 
ihare  of  our  victories,  by  regarding  our  contest  as  a  war 
between  Greek  and  Greek;  but  we  cannot  admit  that  we 
are  both  alike  actuated  by  that  spirit  of  liberty,  which 
distinguished  Greece  in  the  days  of  her  renown. 

In  the  course  of  the  summer,  several  expeditions  were 
undertaken  to  the  westward.  An  attempt  was  made, 
with  the  co-operation  of  commodore  Sinclair,  to  regain 
possession  of  Michilimackinack,  by  major  Croghan»  I)ut 
the  enemy  was  found  too  strongly  fok  tified  (or  any  im- 
pression to  be  made  by  a  force  so  inconsiderable.  The 
gallant  young  officer  ejected  a  landing  on  the  island,  but 
soon  found  that  the  enemy  was  in  such  strength,  as  to 
render  the  capture  of  the  place  hopeless  $  he  therefore, 
after  a  severe  conflict,  returned  to  the  shipping,  with  the 
loss  of  a  valuable  officer,  major  Holmes,  and  about  sixty 
in  killed  and  wounded,  among  the  latter  major  Dashea, 
of  Kentucky.  The  expedition  was  not  altogether  use'ess ; 
the  British  establishments  of  St.  Mary's  and  St.  Jx)seph, 
were  destroyed'.  After  leaving  tlie  island,  commodore 
Sinclair  left  two  of  his  schooners,  the  Scorpion  and  Ty- 
gress,  to  cut  off  the  supplies  of  the  British  garrison. 
These  were  unfortunately  surprised  by  a  very  superiour 
force  of  the  enemy,  and  carried  by  boarding,  after  great 
slaughter- 


900 


HISTORY  OF  THE  WAIJ. 


About  the  same  time  general  M^Arthnr,  \vith  about 
seven  hundred  ment  marched  from  Detro't  into  the  ene- 
my's  country,  and  after  dispersing  all  the  detachments 
in  the  neighhourhood  of  the  Tharoesi  destroying  tiieir 
Sitores,  and  taking  one  hundred  and  fifty  prisoners,  he  re* 
turned  without  loss.  A  severe  injury  was  thus  inflicted 
upon  the  British. 


CHAPTER  XVII. 


War  on  the  aea-coast-^Bngagements  between  the  enenti/i 
and  Barnetf^s  flotilla  in  the  ChestMeake'^Plvnderingsi 
of  the  British — Washin^on  and  Baltimore  threatened] 
— General  Winder  appointed  to  command  the  lOthdis'} 
trict— -Serious  apprehensions  from  the  British^^Diffi.l 
cuUies  in  collecting  an  efficient  force  for  defence-^] 
Capture  of  Washington — The  plunder  of,  Mcivandria. 

JL  HE  shifting  scenes  of  this  war,  carried  on  over  a  sur. 
face  so  extensive,  and  with  objects  so  various,  once  more 
bring  us  back  to  the  Atlantic  sea-coast.  With  the  re> 
turn  of  spring,  the  British  renewed  their  practice  of  pettj 
plundering  and  savage  devastation  on  the  waters  of  the 
Chesapeake,  but  carrying  it  to  an  extent  still  greater 
than  tne  year  before.  '  The  flotilla  already  spoken  of,  for 
the  defence  of  the  inlets  and  smaller  rivers,  consisting: 
of  a  cutter,  two  gun-boats,  and  nine  barges,  was  placed 
under  the  command  of  that  gallant  veteran,  conimudorc 
Barney,  and  who,  on  several  occasions,  severely  repressed 
the  inroads  of  the  enemy.  On  the  first  of  June,  ne  gave 
chase  to  two  of  the  enemy's  schooners,  but  on  the  ap- 
{learance  of  a  large  ship,  \yhich  despatched  a  number  of 


HISTORY  OF  THB  WAR. 


3«l 


on  over  a  sur- 


■:it: 


I  larges  to  eut  him  oif)  the  commodore  ordered  his  flotilla 
ijr  signal  to  sail  up  the  Pktuxent.     Here  he  encased  the 
Miemy's  schooners  and  harges,  and  succeeded  in  oeating 
tfiem  oflT,  inflicting  considerable  injury  oh  them.    The 
enemy  having  been   reinforced,   made  another  attempt 
upon  the  flotilla  with  all  their  barges,  but  were  again 
compelled  to  retire,  being  pursueiT  to  tlieir  ships.    On  the 
teRth)  the  enemy  made  a  still  more  formidable  attack  upon 
Ithe  flotilla,  with  two  schooners  and  twenty  barges.    Af- 
Iter  a  smart  action,  the  barges  were  driven  to  take  shelter 
lin  the  St.  Leonards  from  an  eighteen  gun  vessel,  which 
tiras  then  so  roudily  handled,  at  long  shot,  that  her  crew 
[ran  her  agrouna  and  abandoned  her.      These  attempts 
jwere  frequently  repeated  until  the  twenth-sixth,  when 
pe  commodore,  having  received  a  reinforcement  of  ar- 
[tillerists  and''mannes,  moved  against  the  enemy's  squa- 
tdron,  of  wliich  two  of  the  vessels  were  frigates,  and  after 
|in  action  of  two  hours,  drove  them  from  tlieir  anchorage. 
JThe  commodore  finding  the  blockade  of  the  St.    Leo- 
liards  raised,  sailed  out  and  ascended  the  Patuxent. 
I  After  this,  the  enemv  was  constantly  engaged  in  mak- 
ing inroads  on  the  defenceless  and  unprotected  settle- 
liDents  and  villages  along  the  bay,  and  its  various  inlets. 
Benedict  and  Marlborough,  on  the  Potomack,  were  plun- 
dered of  considerable  quantities  of   tobacco,  merchan- 
dize, and  stock.     Jth  the  detail  of  their  operations  given 
Ibj  themselves,  it  appears  to  have  been  the  uniform  prac- 
tice to  destroy  the  shipping,  carry  away  the  tobacco,  and 
other  staples,  and  induce  the  negroes  to  join  them,  who 
were  afterwards,  it  is  said,  retained  in  slavery,  in  the 
West  Indies.    A  great  number  of  individuals,  in  easy' 
ind  ev3n  aflluent  circumstances,  were  reduced  to  poverty. 
Several  gallant  attempts  were  made  by  general  Taylori 
ind  general  Hungerford,  to  repress  their  incursions  in 
Virginia,  but  the  militia,  hastily  assembled,  was  generally 
ibund  inefficient.  At  K-insale,  general  Taylor  was  wound* 
ltd  aod  unhorsed,   narrowly  escaping  capture.    At  this 
place,  at  Tocomoco,  at  St.  Marys,  and  various  others, 
lidmiral  Cockburn  obtained  a  respectable  booty  ef  tobscS^ 
p>  negroes,  atid  houiehtfld  furtiiturei  ^ 

«6 


■>9 


•*; 


d02  HISTORY  OF  THE  WAR. 

Towards  the  latter  end  of  June,  apprehensions  be«»an 
to  be  entertained,  that  the  enemy  haa  in  view  some  more 
serious  object  of  attack,  either  Baltimore,  or  Washington. 
Much  alarm  had  been  felt  in  these  places  the  year  before' 
but  after  it  had  subsided,  an  opinion  was  indulged,  pro' 
bably  well  founded ,  that  a  land  force,  greatly  more  con< 
siderable  than  was  then  at  the  command  of  the  British, 
inrould  be  required  to  make  any  serious  impression  upon 
either  of  these  places,  or  even  upon  Annapolis  and  Nor- 
folk ;  this  was  particularly  proved  in  the  attack  upon  the 
latter.    It  was  justly  thought,  that  the  enemy  had  re* 
ceived  a  lesson  which  would  render  him  cautious  in  at- 
tacking the  more  considerable  towns.    But  the  sudden  i 
and  unforeseen  events  of  Europe,  had  entirely  changed 
the  face  of  things ;  Britain  was  now  able  to  supply  what 
she  was  not  possessed  of  the  year  beforei  a  powerful  land 
force.    Towards  the  latter  end  of  June,  our  government  j 
receiver  certain  intelligence  from  Messrs.  Gallatin  and 
Bayard,  that  our  enemy  was  determined  not  to  let  slip 
the  opportunity  of  gratifying  revenge,  and  was  about  to 
send  powerful  re-inforcements  to  America.     From  the 
English  prints  it  appeared  that  Eno-land  was  extravagant- 
ly elatea  by  her  saccess,  and  took  to  herself  the  whole 
merit  of  the  great  events  on  the  continent,  and  in  reality 
believed  herself  ^e  mistress  of  the    world.     She  was 
inrelf  acquainted  with  our  situation;  she  knew  that  the, 
regular  troops  on  the  Canada  frontier  could  not  at  this 
moment  be  withdrawn,  leaving  powerful  armies  to  penc-] 
trate  the  northern  states;  and  she  knew,  that  it  was  nu- 
possible  in  the  short  space  of  time,   which  had  elapsed 
since  the  occurrence  of  the  singular  change  in  the  state! 
of  Europe,  which  no  statesman  nad  foreseen,  to  embody 
a  considerable  and  efficient  force.    The  American  cities  i 
were  all  exposed  to  attack  by  land,  >»U!iuugh  tolerably  for- 
tified against  any  approach  by  v.ater.    A  few  thousand] 
regulars  were  scattered  along  a  coast  of  fifteen  hundred 
mUes,  and  the  only  force  to  be  opposed  to  their  veteran 
soldiers,   was  inexperienced  militia  drawn  together  on 
t;he  spur  of  the  occasion.    There  is  no  doubt  that  the  niili-l 
tCk  coflstitiiteB  lbs  bsst  fvatwtais  fer  armise,  because  i^idi* 


■'»i4. 


tnSTOUY  OF  THE  WAR. 


»<», 


flduatly  they  are  actuated  by  higher  motives  than  the  en- 
listed soldier  can  always  be ;  but  in  order  to  be  efficient^ 
(0  use  the  words  of  the  great  frienil  of  this  species  of  forcCy 
(Fletcher  of  Salten,)  "they  must  be  on  a  right  foot;** 
tliey  must  be  encamped,  disciplined,  harmonised,  accus- 
(o:ned  to  see  danger,  and  the  different  corps  taught  to 
rely  on  each  other,  to  obey  and  confide  in  their  omcerQi 
h'tiis  is  not  the  woric  of  a  day.     In  the  open  field,  where 
jnilitary  evolutions  are  necessary,   the  novelties  of  the 
Lcne,  as  well  as  the  want  of  reliance  on  each  other,  ren- 
jilers  it  im^ssible  for  this  description  of  force  to  encoun- 
Itcr,  witlj  eft'ect,  an  army  of  veterans,  used  to  dangers,  and 
[regularly  compacted  by  discipline,  so  a6  to  act,  as  it  were^ 
jky  one  mind. 

I  The  attention  of  the  President,  being  thus  seriously 
liwakened  by  the  approaching  danger,  to  be  apprehended 
lif  the  news  of  the  reinforcements,  intended  for  the  fleet 
ken  in  the  Chesapeake,  should  be  true,  called  a  council 
loftlie  heads  of  departments,  and  suggested  the  propriety 
[of  collecting  all  tne  regulars  within  reach,  of  forming  a 
Itamp  of  at  least  three  ttiousand  nien,  at  some  point  oe* 
Itween  the  Eastern  Branch  and  the  Patuxent*  and  of  em- 
lliodying  at  least  ten  thousand  militia  at  Washington. 
JThese  ideas  appeared  to  meet  the  approbation  of  all ;  and 
'  ire  is  little  doubt,  that  had  they  been,  or  could  they 

te  been  carried  into  execution,  both  the  cities  of  Bal- 
llimore  and   Washington  would  safely  have  bid  defiance 
to  the  British  arms.      Steps  were  immediately  taken  in 
liiirtherance  of  these  views ;  a  reauisition  was  made  of 

!  whole  quota  of  the  state  of  Maryland,  of  six  thou* 
Isand  ;  five  thousand  of  that  of  Pennsylvania ;  two  thott- 
liand  of  Virginia;  besides  the  whole  quota  of  the  district 
lof  Columbia,  amounting  to  two  thousand  more  ;  making 
lintlie  whole  fifteen  thousand,  which  it  was  thought  would 
Iscarcely  fail  of  bringing  at  least  ten  thousand  into  the 
Ifieid.  It  was  ascertained,  that  about  a  thousand  regulars 
Icould  be  depended  on,  besides  a  squadron  of  horse  then 
liii  Pennsylvania,  and  some  regulars  who  were  ordered 
Ifrom  North  Carolina,  and  in  addition,  the  men  of  Bi(r- 
JAey's  Flotilla,  in  case  it  should  be  found  necessary  itf 


I 


•  i 


«^;>^::c»i»jiu^ 


^ 


HISTORY  OP  THE  WAft. 


alhandon  it.    Here  mvm  a  formidable  armj  on  paper  ;  buLJ 
ivith  the  exception  of  the  regulars,  these  soldiers  were  I 
yet  quietly  at  their  homes,  the  greater  part  at  a  consider- 
able distance,  and  the  work  of  drawing  them  out,  emb^. 
dying*  arming,  and  di8Ciplinin|;,   yet  to  be  performed  > 
each  of  these  operations  requiring  time,  and  causing  urlA 
avoidable  delay. 

A  new  milftary  district,  composed  of  Maryland,  th^ 
district  of  Columbia,  and  part  of  Virainia,  was  formeaJ 
and  on  the  fifth  of  July  the  command  was  given  to  g^A 
neral  Winder,  who  had  been  a    short  time4;efore  ex.j 
changed.   The  duties  assigned  to  this  officer  were  amongsu 
the  most  important  entrusted  to  any  one  during  the  war;! 
and  were,  in  their  nature,  exceedingly  arduous  and  diffi. 
Q;Ult.    The  army,  with  which  he  was  to  defend  the  impor* 
t&nt  cities  of  Baltimore  and  Washington,  existed  only  oal 
|>aper  ;  and  whether  they  could  be  brought  into  tlie  fieidJ 
or  not,  depended  upon  casualties  beyond  his  control.  | 
A  difficult  task  was  imposed  upon  the  general,  in  requiring; 
him  to  create  an  army,  and  make  every  arrangement  fur] 
successful  defence,  in  little  better  than  a  month.    In  ius*j 
tice  to  himself,  it  is  to  be  regretted,  that,  under  tnes&l 
circumstance!,  he  had  not  dec  uieii  the  command  ;  for  the! 
duty  of  a  general  certainly  required  no  more,  than  the 
taking  command  of  troops  actually  assigned  to  him  ;  not 
on  paper,  but  in  the  field.     The  desire  of  distinction,  and 
tlie  sincere  wish  to  serve  his  country,  overcame  eveiyJ 
personal  consideration,  and  he  diligently  employed  him<>j 
self,  from  the  moment  of  his  appointment,  in  visiting  everjr 
part  of  the  country,  and  in  acquiring  a  minute  topographi- 
cal acquaintance  with  all  those  places  where  the  enemy 
would  be  most  likely  to  make  an  attack.      To. visit  everyJ 
part  of  iiis  district,  and  examine  its  different  fortifications,] 
was  a  work  of  considerable  labour,  and  required  time.    Atl 
the  same  moment  he  was  assiduously  eniployed  in  collec- 
ting a  force  :  in  this,  unexpected  difficulties  occurred  :  the 
governour  of  Maryland,  after  issuing  the  drafts  for  three 
thousand   men,    found  that  scarcely  as  many  l.undrcdl 
could  be  collected.     With  the  ^overnour  of  Pennsylvania, 
niatters  were  still  worse.  He  intormed  the  secretary  at  War, 


HISTORY  OF  THE  WAR. 


m 


thatm  consequence  of  the  .deranged  state  of  the  militia 
law,  the  executive  had  at  that  moment  no  power  to  en- 
fiffce  a  draft ;  but  that  he  would  appeal  to  the  patriotism 
Lfthe  people,  in  hopes  that  the  legal  objection  would  not 
be  made.  Bj  a  letter  of  the  seventeenth  of  July,  eight  or 
jten  days  after  the  general  had  assumed  the  command, 
||ie  was  authorised  to  call  upon  the  governour  of  Penn- 
jsylvania  for  the  proportion  of  that  state ;  but  this  letter 
l/id  not  reach  him  until  it  was  too  late.  The  effect,  how- 
leyer,  of  the  call,,  is  merely  conjectural,  as  it  could  be 
Iftfunded  upon  no  authority ,~  but  merely  depended  on  the 

iiclination  of  individuals. 

Thus  seven  tljousand  men  were  at  once  thrown  out  of 
|||ie  question,  and  of  the  remaining  eight  thousand  mett 

'this  army  on  paper,  two  thirds  at  least  must  be  deduct- 
Itd  in  allowing  for  other  fiii lures.  Towards  the  beginning 
^f  August,  the  general  had  about  a  thousaad  regulars, 
Igpon  which  he  could  depend  witli  certainty,  and  about 
jfour  thousand  militia,  the  greater  part  yet  at  their  homes; 
lind  in  addition  to  this,  the  perplexity  of  not  knowing 
Iihere  the  enemy  intended  to  strike,  Baltimore  or  Wash- 
liiigton ;  for  admitting  that  this  force  had  bean  sufficient 
Itttdefend  one  place,  it  was  not  sufficient  to  'defend  both 
lit  the  same  time.  On  the  failure  of  the  draft  in  the  state 
lof  Maryland,  the  force  then  embodied  at  Annapolis  wad^ 
Iliy  the  consent  of  the  governour,  taken  as  part  of  the  state 
hquisition;  and  a  brigade  of  Maryland  militia,  undetr ; 
l^neral  Stansbury,  was  also  placed  at  the  disposal  of  ge* 
il  Winder;  but  the  inhabitants  of  Baltimore,  near 
llhich  they  were  collected,  could  not  think  of  permitting 
Ithem  to  leave  the  city,  without  reluctance,  considering 
Itheir  own  exposed  situation.  This  is  a  candid  statement 
lof  the  causes  which  resulted  in  the  subsequent  disastet  ^ 
Ifor  under  the  circumstances,  it  scarcely  could  have  hap* 
Ipened  otherwise,  without  one  of  those  extraordinary  turn^ 
lof  fortune,  of  which  we  can  form  no  calculation*  It  iB 
■wrong  in  us  to  throw  the  blame  exclusively  on  all,  or  any 
Ipart  of  the  agents  on  the  occasion.  The  blame  must  bo 
lihared  by  the  nation,  and  partly  by  out  political  institu* 
|tiiQs;  nor  do  I  tliink  the  worse  ot*  theta  for  their  want 


i 


i 


SQG 


HISTORY  OF  THE  WAR. 


of  energy  in  assuming  promptly  a  military  attitude :  \ve 
should  have  to  resign  too  many  blessings  to  possess  the 
capacity  ;  unless  our  militia  can  be  regularly  classed  and 
disciplined. 

The  expected  reinforcements  arrived  in  the  Chesapeake 
about  the  beginning  of  August,  under  admiral  Cochrane, 
who  was  soon  joined  by  the  fleet  in  great  force,  under  ad- 
miral Maicom.  The  expedition  was  destined  against 
Baltimore  or  Washington,  but  until  the  last  moment,  it 
was  uncertain  against  which  in  particular.  To  increase 
this  perplexity,  the  enemy  divided  his  force  into  three 
parts,  sending  one  up  the  Potomac,  under  captain  Gor- 
don, for  the  purpose  of  bombarding  Fort  Warburton,  and 
opening  tlie  way  to  the  City  of  Washington  ;  the  other 
under  Sir  Peter  Parker,  as  if  to  threaten  Baltimore: 
while  the  main  body  ascended  the  Patuxent,  apparently 
with  the  intention  of  attacking  commodore  Barney's  flo- 
tilla, which  had  taken  refuge  at  the  head  of  that  river,  hut 
with  the  real  intention,  as  it  was  soon  discovered,  of  at* 
tacking  Washington.  They  proceeded  to  Benedict,  which 
tbev  reaced  on  the  19th  ol  August,  and  by  the  next  day, 
had  completed  the  debarkation  of  their  land  forces,  under 
general  Ross,%o  tlie  number  of  six  thousand  ;  on  the  2Ist 
they  moved  towards  Nottingham,  and  on  tl.  .  "'>\ving 
day  reached  Marlborough.  The  British  flotilla,  coi  ist* 
injg  of  launches  and  barges,  ascending  the  river  under 
COckburn,  keeping  on  the  right  flank  m  the  army.  The 
day  following,  on  approaching  the  flotilla  of  commodore 
barney,  it  was  set  lire  to  by  sailors  left  for  the  purpose, 
the  commodore  having  already  joined  general  Winder 
with  his  men. 

General  Winder  was  at  this  time,  while  the  enemy  vias 
within  twenty  miles  of  the  Capital,  at  the  head  of  no  more 
than  three  thousand  men,  fifteen  hundred  of  whom  were 
militia  just  drawn  into  camp.  The  Baltimore  militia  had 
not  yet  arrived,  and  those  from  Annapolis,  and  the  Virgi- 
nia detachment,  were  on  their  way.  The  general's  camp 
was  at  the  Woodyard ;  he  was  still  in  xlouht  whether  the 
British  intended  an.  attack  upon  Fort  Warburton,  which 
could  offer  but  little'  resistance  to  the  land  forces,  biit 


HISTORY  OP  THE  WAR. 


SOT 


could  be  formidable  to  the  ships  of  the  enemy,  or  intend- 
ed  to  march  directly  to  Washington.    The  first  was  cer- 
tainly the  safest  mode  of  attack  on  the  part  of  the  enemy, 
and  that  he  did  not  make  it,  can  only  be  accounted  for, 
from  his  perfect  knowledge  of  the  capacity  of  <^e  City 
at  this  moment  for  defence.    The  City  could  make  no 
defence^  but  that  of  repelling  the  assailaujA  in  the  open 
field ;  the  only  hope  was  in  taking  advantageous  positions 
in  the  broken  ground,  bordered  with  woods,  along  the 
road  through  which  they  had  to  pass  :  but  as  their  numbers 
were  such  as  to  enable  tliem  to  push  out  flanking  parties, 
this  would  not  avail  in  the  end.    The  onlv  mode  of  re- 
sisting them  effectually,  would  have  been  6y  interposing 
sufficient  numbers,  to  compel  them  to  repeated  engage- 
ments, and  to  harass  their  flanks,  and  threaten  their  rear». 
Oa  the  afternoon  of  the  22d,  the  British  army  a^ain  set 
out,  and  after  skirmishing  with  the  Americans,  halted  for 
the  night,  five  miles  in  advance  of  Marlborough.    General 
Winder  now  retired  by  the  Woodyard,  where  he  had  be- 
I  fore  encamped,  to  a  place  called  the  Old  Fields,  which  co- 
I  vered  Biaacnsburgh,  the  bridges  on  the  Eastern  Branch, 
and  Fort  Warburton  ;  for  it  was  uncertain  which  of  these 
directions  the  enemy  intended  to  pursue.     Colonel  Mon- 
I  roe,  the  secretary  of  state,  had  been  with  him  for  several 
days,  assisting  with  his  counsel,  and  actively  engaged  in 
I  reconnoitring  the  enemy  ;  on  this  eve-ning  he  was  joined 
by  the  president  and  heads  of  departments,  who  remained 
luutil  the  next  evening.  The  anxious  and  painful  situation 
of  the  general,  rendered  him  desirous  of  benefiting  by  the 
council  of  the  first  officers  of  the  nation ;  and  their  unea- 
siness in  the  urgency  of  the  moment,  induced  them  to 
hazard  their  opinions,    perhaps  too  freely,  in  matters 
merely  executive.    In  a  critical  moment,  where  prompt 
I  decision  is  necessary,  too  many  minds,  suggesting  their 
various  expedients,  do  more  harm  than  good.    But  this 
was  an  interference,  considering  the  anxiety  of  the  mo- 
ment, for  which  no  one  can  be  blamed.    On  tlie  23d,  ma- 
I  jor  Peter  was  detached  with  some  field  pieces,  and  cap* 
I  tains  Davidson  and  Stull's  companies,  to  skirmish  with  thOv 
Mem  J  near  Marlborough)  who  advanced  on  himt  and  toek' 


308 


HISTORY  OF  THE  WAR. 


a  position  near  Old  Fields,  menacing  iC'with  an  attack 
eitner  that  night  or  early  in  the  morning.  Apprehensive 
of  a  night  attack,  which  might  be  fatal  to  him,  general 
Winder  retired  to  the  City,  intending  to  choose  a  po. 
»ition  between  it  and  Bladensburgh,  where  he  could  op' 
pose  the  enemy  with  his  whole  force. 

On  the  evening  before,  general  Stansbury  arrived  with 
his  brigade,  at  Bladensburgh,  after  a  very  fatiguing  march, 

and  immediately  despatched  his  ai<!,  ma jor  Wood}  car,  with 
the  intelligence  ;  and  on  the  evening  following  was  joined 
by  colonel  Sterrett's  regiment,  five  hundred  strong,' and  a 
rifle  battalion  under  major  Pinkney,  late  attornej; -general 
of  the  United  States.  His  comiiiand  amounted  to  two 
thousand  men.  About  twelve  o'clock  at  niglit,  the  secrc' 
tary  of  state  arrived  at  the  general's  quarters,  and  commu- 
uicatiilg  the  circumstance  of  the  enemy's  advance  on  ge- 
neral Winder,  advised  him  to  fall  in  the  enemy's  rear  im. 
mediately ;  but  the  general  objected,  on  the  score  of  having 
be^n  ordered  to  this  post,  and  besides,  that  his  men  were 
so  much  harassed  and  fatigued  by  their  march,  a  considera- 
ble portion  having  just  arrived,  that  it  would  be  impossible. 
During  the  night  several  false  alarms  were  given,  by  which 
the  troops  were  prevented  from  taking  repose,  which 
they  so  much  required  after  their  fatigues,  to  the  greater 

f>at't  of  them  unaccustomed.  On  the  receipt  of  tiie  inteU 
igence  of  the  retreat  of  general  Winder,  Stansbury,  in 
consultation  with  bis  officers,  determined  to  move  towards 
the  City.  Before  day  he  crossed  tlie  brid»;e,  and  after 
securing  his  rear,  halted  for  a  few  hours.  Early  in  the 
morning  he  again  moved  forward,  with  a  view  of  taking 
posseision  of  some  ground  for  defence,  when  orders  were 
received  from  general  Winder,  to  give  battle  to  the  ene* 
my  at  Bladensburgh ;  he  therefore  retraced  his  steps, 
and  between  ten  and  eleven  o'clock  the  troops  were 
halted  in  an  orchard  field,  to  the  left  of  the  road  from 
Washington  to  that  place.  About  this  time  colonel 
Monroe,  at  the  request  of  general  Winder  and  of  the 
president,  reached  the  brigade  of  general  Stansbury,  and 
•j&red  his.  assistance  in  forming  the  brigade,  so  as  to 
4ppate  th»  pa^  witlk  the  cDemjs  hi»  aid.  waft  thank- 


Ill  STORY  OV  Ti«  WAR'. 


509 


ftlly  aeeepted  ;  the  enemy  was  then  within  three  miles^ 
in  luU  inarch. 

The  best  arrangements  the  time  would  permit,  were 
made.  About  five  hundred  yards  from  the  bridge,  th^ 
artillery,  consisting  of  six  six-pounders,  under  the  com- 
Biand  of  captaiits  Myers  and  Magruder,  was  posted  be- 
hind a  kind  of  breastwork  ;  major  Pinkney's  riflemen 
were  placed  in  ambush  to  the  right  and  left,  so  as  to  an* 
loy  the  enemy  in  attempting  to  ford  the  stream,  and  at 
die  same  time  to  support  the  artillery.  The  fifth  regi- 
Inent  was  drawn  up  about  fifty  yards  in  the  rear;  and 
f  afterwards,  perhaps  injudiciously,  removed  much  further ; 
the  other  parts  of  the  brigade  were  so  disposed,  as  ti> 
support  the  artillery,  and  annoy  the  enemy  in  his  ap- 

5 roach.  Shortly  after  this  order  was  formed,  major 
lealt  arrived  with  about  five  hundred  men  from  Anna^ 
Silis,  and  was  posted  higher  up  in  a  wood  on  the  right  of 
e  road.  General  Winder^  by  this  time,  had  brought  up 
his  main  body,  and  formed  it  in  a  line  to  the  right  and 
left  of  the  road,  in  the  rear  of  Stansbury's  brigade,  and 
the  detachment  under  Beall^  with  the  heavy  artillery, 
under  commodore  Barney,  posted  on  an  eminence  near 
the  road.  ^  This  line  hadf  scarcely  been  formed,  when  the 
engagement  commenced,  anil  the  pi*esident  and  heads 
of  departments,  who  had  until  now  been  present,  with- 
drew ;  the  president  conceiving  it  proper  to  leave  the  di- 
rection of  the  combat  ^o  the  military  men. 

About  twelve  o'clock  the  enemy's  column  made  its 
appearance  on  the  hill  which  overhangs  the  stream,  and 
moved  down  towards  the  bridge,  throwing  rockets,  and 
apparently  determined  to  force  the  passage.  He  now 
made  ^n  attempt  to  throw  a  strong  body  of  infantry 
across  the  stream,  but  a  few  well  direcU  '  shot  from 
the  artillery,  cleared  the  bridge,  and  compelk  the  ene- 
my precipitately  to  shelter  himself  behind  some  houses 
near  it,  and  apparently  having  suffered  considerably. 
The  fire  was  briskly  kept  up,  and  after  a  considerable 
nause,  a  lar^e  column  rapidly  advanced  in  the  face  of  the 
battery,  whicii,  although  managed  with  great  spirit  by 
officers  of  ackuuwledged  akiil.  and  courage,  was  unable 


S\B 


HISTORY  OF  THE  WAll. 


to  represg  them ;  they  still  continued  to  push  forward 
theu'  column,  which  was  constantly  reinforced,  until  they 
were  able  to  form  a  considerable  body  on  the  Washing.. 
ton  road.  The  enemy  had  not  advanced  far,  when  a 
company,  under  captain  Dougherty,  discharged  their  pie* 
oes  and  fled,  in  spite  of  the  efforts  uf  their  commanuer) 
and  of  major  Pinkney,  to  rally  them.  The  major's  corps 
began  its  tire,  also,  too  soon,  hut  with  some  execution. 
The  British  were  every  moment  drawinz  nearer  the  ar* 
tillery,  which  could  no  longer  be  brought  to  bear  upon 
them  ;  and  besides,  there  were  no  troops  sufficiently  near 
to  afford  a  support ;  it  then  became  unavoidably  neces- 
sary for  it  to  rcdru,  and  was  followed  by  major  Pink* 
ney's  riflemen.  One  piece  of  artillery  was  spiked  and 
left  behind.  The  whole  fell  back  upon  the  fifth  regiment, 
tlie  nearest  rallying  point.  A  volunteer  company  of  ar- 
tillery now  opened  a  cross  fire  upon  the  ensmy,  who 
were  advancing  through  the  orchard,  but  with  iiot  muck 
effect ;  but,  from  the  sneiter  of  the  trees,  they  were  ena* 
bled  to  open  a  galling  fire  upon  the  fifth  regiment.  Co- 
lonel Sterrett  was  ordered  to  advance,  which  he  did 
promptPy,  until  again  halted,  in  consequence  of  the  other 
two  regiments,  of  Stansbury's  brigade,  having  been 
thrown  into  confusion  by  rockets,  and  having  begun  to 
give  way.  In  a  few  minutes  they  took  to  flight,  in  des- 
pite of  the  exertions  of  general  Winder,  of  general 
Stansbury,  and  other  officers,  to  rally  them.  Sterrett's 
regiment,  Burch's  artillery,  and  major  Pinknev's  rifle- 
men, still  maintained  their  ground  with  great  nrmness, 
and  evinced  a  disposition  to  make  a  gallant  resistance } 
but  the  enemy  having  by  this  time  cutnanked  them,  thej 
were  ordered  to  retire  ;  th^swas  unfortunately  efiected 
in  confusion  and  disorder,  tlie  unavoidable  consequence 
with  militia,  in  its  retreat.  Thus  the  first  line  was  com- 
pletely routed.  The  Baltimore  artillery  had  before  this 
taken  a  position  oigher  up  on  the  hill.  On  the  risht,  €•• 
lonels  Be^le  and  Hood,  commanding  the  Annapolis  mili- 
tia, had  thrown  forward  a  small  detachment  under  colonel 
Kramer,  which,  after  maintaining  its  ground  some  time, 
with  considerable  injury  to  the  enemy,  retired  upon  the 


# 


HISTORt  0?  THE  WAR. 


Ml 


■ain  body.  Soon  after  the  retreat  of  this  detacbinentj 
ihe  enemy's  column,  marchine  along  the  turnpike  road^ 
tas  suddenly  exposed  to  the  nre  of  commodore  Barney, 
who  opened  an  eighteen-pounder  upon  them,  and  instant"* 
\j  cleared  the  road ;  in  several  attempts  to  rally,  they 
were  again  repulsed  with  ereat  loss.  In  consequence  of 
this,  they  attempted  to  nank  the  American  line  to  the 
right,  by  passing  through  an  open  field  ;  but  this  was  frus- 
trated by  captain  Miller,  with  three  twelves,  and  his  ma- 
•ines.  The  enemj  continued  flanking  to  the  ri^ht,and  pres- 
led  upon  the  mihtia  of  Annapolis,  who  fled,  after  giving  an 
ineffectual  fire.  The  command  of  commodore  Barney 
was  left  to  maintain  the  contest  alone;  but  the  enemy 
DO  longer  appeared  in  front ;  he  continued  to  outflank^ 
pusliing  forward  a  few  scattering  sharp-shooters,  by  which 
the  commodure  was  wounded,  Jand  his  horse  killed  under 
him,  while  several  of  his  officers  and  men  fell  near  him. 
His  corps  was  by  this  time  outflanked  on  both  sides,  and 
in  the  confusion,  the  ammunition  wasgons  had  been  dri» 
ren  off.  His  men  were  therefore  ordered  to  retreat,  the 
commodore  himself  was  taken  prisoner,  and  his  pieces 
fell  into  the  hands  of  the  enemy. 

The  Geoi^etown  and  City  militia,  and  the  regulars, 
itill  remained  firm,  having  been  stationed  in  the  rear  of 
the  second  line<  in  positions  the  most  convenient  for  an- 
noying the  enemy,  and  supporting  the  other  corpf. 
These  being  in  danger  every  moment  of  being  oyt-flank- 
ed,  orders  were  sent  to  general  Smith,  to  retreat  towards 
the  city.  After  proceeding  a  few  hundred  paces,  they 
were  joined  by  a  regiment  of  Virginia  militia,  which  had 
irrivcd  in  the  city  the  evening  before,  but  had  not  been 
ready  till  now  to  take  the  field.  General  Winder  still 
entertained  hopes  of  being  able  to  rally  his  troops,  and  of 
fij^hling  the  enemy  between  tiiis  place  and  Washington; 
ehail  ordered  the  Baltimore  artillery ^to  move'on  towards 
he  city,  and  expected  to  find  that  the  cavalry  and 
Stansbury's  command,  had  fallen  down  the  road  to  that 
place  :  he  thi)Uj;ht  that  they  might  yet  be  rallied  on  tlie  re- 
gulars, and  City  and  Georgetown  troops,  so  as  to  make 
Uipiber  struggle  to  save  the  capital.     With  this  view  l|e 


I 


•^' 


8U 


HISTORY  OF  Tire  WAU. 


rode  forward  for  the  purpose  of  selecting  a  position,  hut  he 
toon  found  that  instead  of  moving  towards  Washinj^ton 
ihej  had  scattered  in  every  direction,  and  as  it  afterll 
wards  appeared,  the  greater  part  had  fled  towards  Mont- 1 
ffomery  court-house.    No  words  can  pourtraj  the  grief  of 
tne  City  and  Georgetown  militia,  at  being  thus  compelled 
to  retire,  without  having  had  the  slightest  opportunity  of 
defending  their  fire-sides  and  their  homes.      On  arriving  | 
at  the  City,  the  general  was  met  by  the  secretary  at  war,  j 
and  the  secretary  of  state,  and  after  a  consultation,  it  was 
agreed,  that,  witn  the  small  remains  uf  the  army,  it  was  in 
Tain  to  think  of  making  a  stand ;  the  few  scattered  villages, 
which  compose  the  City,  occupying  an  extensive  open 
plain,  there  was  no  position  to  be  taken,  at  which  the  enemy 
night  be  opposed,  and  the  capital  was  a  detached  building, 
which  could  be  easily  set  on  fire ;  and  even  if  troops  were 
stationed  in  it,  they  could  not  prevent  the  enemy  from  | 
proceeding  to  any  part  pf  the  city  they  might  choose  toi 
assail.      It  was  therefore  proposed  to  rally  the  troops  oq{ 
the  heights  of  Georgetown.    But  the  seneral  soon  found, 
that  but  few  of  the  militia  could  be  collected,  the  greater  I 
part  had  strayed  oft' in  search  of  food  or  refreshmeiit,  after 
having  suffered  much  during  tiie  day  ;  and  otiiers  were 
almost  exhausted,  after  the  privations  and  fatigues  which 
^ey  had  experienced.     The  next  day  he  proceeded,  with 
such  as  he  could  collect,  to  Montgomery. 

Thus  did  we  experience  the  mortification  of  having  our 
oapital  entered  by  a  hostile  army.     The  wound  to  our 
national  pride  was  great  $  for  it  was  more  a  matter  ofj 
feeling  than  of  actual  inju  ^       It  was  at  most  but  a  des-  j 
perate  bravado  on  the  part  .'f  the  enemy,  who  was    com- 
pelled to  retire  as  rapidly  a»   lie  had  approached,  and 
mhich  had  noeflect  upon  the  contest,  other  than  to  exaspe- 
rate the  people  of  tnis  country,  and  of  disposing  both 
parties  to  join  in  carrying  on  tlie  war.     To  use  the  com-i 
mon  language,  it  was  the  name  of  the  thing  which  pro- 
duced mortification  ;  for  there  was  nothing  wonderful  is 
a  large  body  of  veteran  troops  stealing  a  march  upon  a 
new  and  unfortified  town,  and  defeating  an  equal  num- 
Ven  of  raw  militia.     The  greater  part  of  oar  force  tit- 


HISTORY  OF  THE  WAR. 


313 


lifred  on  the  spot  so  short  a  time  before  the  battle,  as  not 
Lhave  been  permitted  to  take  some  repoise  from  their 
Mtigue ;  the  different  corps  and  their  olHcers  were  uVi- 
Iknown  to  each  other,  ana  to  the  commander ;  the  ar- 
Ifingements  for  meeting  a  powerful  regular  force  had  to 
emade  at  the  rery  momet  of  battle.    That  we  should 
ire  been  defeated  under  such  circumstinces,  is  not  to  be 
onilered  at,  and  furnishes  no  inference  unfavourable  t<l  ■*" 
pilitia,  or  to  the  officers  who  commanded.     The  British 
ce  would  probably  have  met  with  the  same  success^ 
id  it  moved  at  that  moment  against  any  of  the  larger 
ties,  which  were  no  more  aware  of  their  danger  thaa 
bshington.     The  censure  passed  upon  general  Win- 
tr,  who  had  already  been  unfortunate,  but  always  me- 
jitoiious,  was  undeserved.     The  task  which  he  under- 
ok  was  exceedingly  arduous,    that  of  visiting  every 
irtof  one  of  the  most  important  districts  in  the  United 
Ites ;  making  the  necessary  dispositions  for  repelling 
I  invasion  ;  and,  instead  of  being  placed  at  the  head  oT 
larmy,  of  being  obliged  to  call  out  the  militia  from  their 
Mnes;  and  all  this  in  the  short  space  of  a  month.     On 
keday  of  battle,  when  the  president  and  heads  of  de- 
irtments  can»e  to  take  a  view  of  our  force,  they  had 
spaired  of  making  a  successful  resistance,  and  there* 
(jrcilili^ently  set  themselves  about  transporting  the  pcb- 
«k  archives  to  a  place  of  security,    lo  make  success, 
lie  criterion  in  all  cases,  would  be  highly  unjust:  it 
lould  be  to  imitate  *:he  tyrants  of  Turkey,  who  make 
ieirbest  generals  pay  for  misfortunes,  by  foifei ting  their 
^es.  Tyranny  of  no  kind  should  find  its  way  into  Ame- 
HO.  ^       ^  ^>*^ 

It  is  the  duty  of  the  historian,  lo  rescue  worth  from 
lie  unmerited  condemnation  of  the  hour,  or  the  abusive 
Ijrulence  of  party  spirit  The  ablest  generals  have  at 
tnes  been  placed  in  situations,  where  courage,  and  ge<- 
kins,  were  alike  unavailing.  If  general  Winder  erred, 
jiserroursmustbe  shared  by  some  of  the  greatest  men  of 
ur  country.  Few  possess  more  acknowledged  merit) ' 
Qd  ability ;  and  he  is  entitled  to  the  applause  of  his  fel- 
citizens  for  bis  conduct,  at  a  moment  ivhenht  re- 
ar ,     ,    .         .  , 


Hi 


314 


HISTORY  OF  THE  WAR. 


quired  assistance :  he  abandoned  a  profesdion  in  iitlvieK \n 
was  eminently  distinguished,  and  sacrificed  a  lucrative 
practice,  andt  almost tu the  ruinof  hisfurtune,  embarked ii 
tiie  cause  of  his  country.  This  was  at  a  period  too,  whei. 
hy  sucli  course  he  incurred  the  displeasure  of  many  of  lug 
political  friends,  some  of  whom  denounced  every  one 
of  their  party,  that  contributed  either  money  or  personal 
services  in  support  of  the  war.  When  we  recollect  thJ 
extraordinary  violence  of  party  feeling  at  that  moment! 
we  o:*ght  to  be  cautious  in  condemning  a  man,  whocoul(| 
forget"  every  other  consideration,  and  zealously  devot< 
himself  to  the  support  of  governnient.  The  distinctioi 
Mas  made  by  those  opposed  to  the  war,  and  who  non 
(and  in  many  respects  justly)  claim  a  share  in  its  hoi 
nours,  between  the  war  of  the  nation  and  a  warof  apartyj 
as  if  the  reverses  of  our  arms  would  not  affect  the  wholfl 
nation  in  its  interests  at  home,  and  its  character  abroad] 
What  would  Me  say  of  the  crew,  who  should  refuse  td 
aid  in  working  the  vessel,  and  rather  suffer  it  to  be 
dashed  on  the  rocks,  because  tiie  captain,  whom  thsy  dis] 
liked,  had  imprudently  put  to  sea  in  the  midst  of 
storm  ? 

The-  loss  of  the  British,  in  this  expedition,  was  little 
short  of  a  thousand  men  in  killed,  wounded  and  missing^ 
that  of  the  Americans,  ten  or  twelve  killed,  and  thirt) 
or  forty  wounded.  General  Uoss,  af^er  halting  his  arm) 
for  a  short  time  for  refreshments,  pushed  on  to  Wash] 
ington,  wherehe  arrived  that  evening  about  eight  o'clockj 
ttudT  having  stationed  his  main  body  about  a  mile  and  an 
half  from  the  capital,  he  entered  the  deserted  city,  alj 
the  head  of  about  seven  hundred  men.  We  have  now 
to  record  the  climax  of  that  Vandal  barbarity,  exhibited 
by  Great  lirituin  during  this  war.  The  American  metro^ 
polls,  or  more  properly  its  scite,  was  entered  by  then 
without  opposition  $  they  found  about  nine  hundred  honj 
ses,  scattered  in  groups  over  a  surface  of  three  miles,  ana 
two  splendid  buildings,  probably  the  finest  specimens  of 
architecture  in  the  new  world  ;  the  capital,  though  still 
unfinished,  presented  a  noble  structure;  and  the  presij 
deaths  hduse^  in  point  of  taste,  rivalling  &ny  building  in 


HISTORY  OF  THE  WAR. 


315 


[Europe,  and  both  constructed  of  a  beautiful  winCe  free- 

jtone.  ^By  the  admirer  of  the  art8  of  every  country, 

Niese  splendid  edifices  could  not  be  contemplated  wiihojt 

lalei^Cire,  nor  their  destruction  without  the  most  iudig^ 

|Wi  feelings.     The  reader  may  easily  conjecture  thai 

it^ infamous  Cockburn  was  here;  conjointly  with  gene- 

IrtlRoss,  who  now  withered  every  laurel  he  had  gained 

III  honourable  war,  orders  were  issued  for  the  confia<^ra- 

Ition  of  these  noble  edifices,  with  the  valuable  libraries  of 

|tiie  capital,  and  all  the  fiirniture  and  articles  of  taste  or 

alue,  which  they  contained.    The  great  bridge  across. 

he  Potomack,  was  also  wantonly  burnt,  together  witlr 

elegant  hotel,  and  several  other  private  dwellin;>f:^ 

bis  base  and  savage  destruction,  is  detailed  in  the  olK^ 

pal  letter  of  the  British  general,  as  a  matter  of  perfect 

ndilierence.    The  blaze  produced  by  the  conilagration^ 

las  seen  even  in  Baltimore,  aflurding  terrible  warning  to 

Itfie  inhabitants.     All  that  was  combustible  about  tlie  ca- 

||ital  and  the  president's  house,  was  reduced  to  ashes,  and 

he  walls  of  these  stately  buildings,  blackened  and  broken 

liii  melancholy  ruin,  remained  for  a  time,  the  monumentB 

lifBritish  barbarity.    The  American,  who  saw  them  long 

Itfler,  could  scarcely  refrain  from  swearing  in  his  heart 

Itternal  hatred  to  Britain.    <<  I  have  seen  the  >v^lls  of 

|laiclutha,  but  they  were  desolate ;  the  tire  had  resound- 

1  in  their  halls."    These  are  the  words  of  one  of  Os- 

jain's  heroes,  on  beholding  the  ruins  of  his  father's  halls. 

On  the  consultation  of  the  president  with  the  heads  of 

epartments,  it  was  resolved  to  destroy  the  publick  stores 

(the  navy  yard,  to  prevent  them  from  falling  into  the 

Inemy's  hands;  on  the  retreat,  tlie  pubiick  buildings, 

ores,  afid  vessels,  were  set  on  fire,  and  cunsequentiy 

^stroyed,  with  the  exception  of  the  schooner  Lynx,. 

ihich  escaped  in  an  extraordinary  manner.     What  rl- 

lined,  was  destroyed  by  the  enemy,  who  took  particu- 

pains  to  mutilate  the  beautiful  monument  erected  iff 

Buour  of  the  naval  heroes  who  fell  at  Tripoli.    The 

ittfldering  ot  private  houses  was  not  carried  on  to  tho 

itent  that  might  have  been  expected,  probably  from  the 

iirtnes9  of  tlie  time  which  they  remained ;  they  retreat*' 


»■-»*»«*».,, 


316 


HISTORY  OF  THE  WAR 


ed  precipitately  the  next  evening.    It  was  now  conjee 
tured,  that  they  meant  to  proceed  immediately  to  Balti 
more ;  the  inhabitants  of  tiiat  place  were  in  the  greates 
^consternation,  which  the  arrival  of  the  city  militia,  froi] 
the  field  of  battle,  was  not  likely  to  allay.    A  momenl 
of  silent,  gloomy  despondency  prevailed,  which  cauoc 
be  described.     In  the  midst  of^  this  disheartening  panicJi 
the  citizens,  notwithstanding,  rejected  all  thoughts  c 
capitulation,  and  under  generals  Smith  and  Strieker,  the] 
prepared  themselves  to  oppose  the  enemy,  and  in  all  pro 
^ability,  they  would  have  made  that  desperate  resistance 
vhich  renders  eveii  inexperienced  troops  superiour 
veterans,  when  fightinjj  for  j;ijeir  families  and  their  home. 
General  ^^  inder,  witK  all  the  force  he  could  collect,  pro 
ceeded  rapidly  to  lialtimore;  by  this  time,  however,  ' 
appeared  that  the  British  had  letired  to  their  slitpping. 
The  squadron  uniler  captain  Gordon,  consisting  i 
eight  sail,  passed  Fort  Warliurton  two  days  after  the  rel 
treat  of  the  British.     The  fort  had  been  abandoned  an( 
blown  up  by  captain  Dyson,  in  a  most  ejitraordinarj 
manner ;  probably  under  the  induence  of  the  dreadfu 
panick  which  generally  prevailed.    His  orders  had  beeij 
to  abandon  it  only,,  in  case  of  an  at'ack  by  the  1 
forces,  but  on  a  mere  rumour,  and  without  waiting  th^ 
enemy's  approach,  he  tliought  proper  to  take  diis  mea 
sure.    On  the  twenty-nintli,  the  squadron  reached  Alei 
andria  ;  and  the  inhabitants  of  that  place,  being  cuml 
pletely  in  the  power  of  the  captain,  were  compelled  t^ 
ofter  terms  for  the  preservation  of  the  town  from  confla 
gration  And  pillage.     Tiie  insatiable  avarice  of  the  ene 
my  imposed  the  hardest  conditions :  all  the  merchaadis 
of  every  description,  whether  in  town,  or  removed  sIdc 
^he  nineteenth,  was  required  to  l>e  put  on  board  the  ship 
pin*;,  then  at  the  wl^irf,  at  the  expense  of  the  inhabitants 
and  the  whole  delivered  to  the  enemy ;  tbat  even  sue' 
vessels  as  had  been  sunk,  should  be  delivered  up.    Thes 
terms,  somewhat  modified,  were  complied  with  ;  and 
captain  descended  with  a  fleet  of  prize  vessels,  and 
rich  booty.      In  the  meantime,  preparations  had  beed 
made  in  hastC)  by  the  uaval  heroes,  captaifit  Porter  m 


HISTORY  OF  THE  WAR. 


Sir 


I  Perry,  to  throw  diflSculties  in  the  way  of  his  desccnf. 
llie  first,  at  the  battery  of  the  White  Iloiise,  was  assist- 
ed by  general  Hungeriord's  brigade  of  Virginia  militia^ 
ind  captain  Humphrey's  rifle  company ;  and  at  the  bat- 
tery at  Indian  Heatl,  captain  Perry  was  supported  by 
Itlie  brigade  of  general  Stewart,  and  the  volunteer  com- 
Unies  of  major  Peter  and  captain  Burch.     From  the 
bird,  until  the  sixlh  of  September,  the  British  vessels 
Itere  greatly  annoyed  in  passing  thdse  batteries.    Fi'c- 
(jufriit  attempts  were  also  ipade  oy  commodore  Rodgerw, 
|ly  approachin;^  the  fleet  with  fire-vessels  ;  but  owing  to  a 
marine  of  wind,  tiiey  proved  ineft'ectual.    Tliese  respect- 
lire  forces  were  afterwards  concentrated  under  commo- 
jre  Rodgers,  at  Alexandria;  he  determined  to  defend" 
he  place,  should  the  enemy,  who  was  not  yet  out  of  sight 
[df  the  battery,  think  proper  to  return. 

Sir  Peter  Parker,  who  ascended  the  Chesapeake,  wa^ 
jiot  so  fortunate  as  the  other  officers.  lie  landed  at  nigjht 
liothe  neiglibourhood  of  Moor's  Fields,  with  the  view  of 
Inrprising  a  party  of  militia,  encamped  under  the  com- 
Ihaiidof  colonel  Keid-.  In  this  he  was  disappointed,  for 
Ithemilttia  having  iieard  the  approach  of  the  barges,  were 
wepared  to  receive  him.  Sir  Peter  Parker  having  land* 
M,  moved  forwatd  at  the  head  uf  aboiit  two  hundred  and 
llfty  men ;  but  on  approaching  within  seventy  yards  of  the 
lAmericans,  ther  received  a  heavy  fire  5  he  endeavoured 
lit  press  forward  on  the  centre  of  the  line ;  in  this  he  was 
Ibiled,  and  threw  himself  on  the  flank,  M'here  he  was  alsO 
litpulsed.  Colonel  Reid  being  informed  that  the  cartridg- 
|«  were  nearly  expended,  ordered  his  men  to  retire  a 
Imail  distance  until  they  could  be  supplied.  In  the  mean 
Ibe,  the  British  having  suftered-  a  severe  loss,  thought 
pper  to  retire ;  carrying  with  them  tlie  wounded,  among 
ihom  was  sir  Peter  Parker,  who  died  soon  after, 
'ffie  capture- of  Washington^  we  have  seen,  excited  Uie 
most  painful  sensations- throughout  the  United  States,  and 
tie  indignant  feelings  of  the  people  were  at  first  levelled 
Igainst  the  whole  administration,  but  soon  settled  in  lay* 
Ag  the  blame  of  the  affair  on  the  secretary  at  war  and 
^neral  Winder.    We  are  willing  to  thr^w  Uie  blame  any 

27* 


.! 


I 


M8 


HISTORY  OF  THE  WAR. 


where,  sooner  than  acknowledge  ourselves  in  the  faalt. 
It  was  not  the  fault  of  the  secretary  at  war  that  the  miliJ 
tia  could  not  be  called  out,  nor  was  it  the  fault  of  general] 
Winder,  that  the  greater  part  of  his  troops  would  not] 
stand  their  ground ;  nor  was  the  administration  to  blame] 
in  not  foreseeing  the  events  in  Europe,  which  no  man  in 
the  world  ever  conceived.    The  president  was  shamefuUyJ 
abused  in  the  newspapers  of  the  day,  for  not  sufieringj 
himself  to  be  shot  by  the  enemy,  or  at  least,  taken  pri- 
soner.    He  did  all,  and  more  than  his  station,  or  years, 
required.     What  could  he  have  done,  after  the  city,  waj 
abandoned  by  the  American  troops  ?    The  question  is| 
ridiculous.    He  returned  immediately  to  the  city  after  it] 
bad  been  evacuated  by  the  enemy,  and  from  its  smokingl 
ruins  issued  a  proclamation,  whicn  did  honour  to  his  heard 
and  head,  and  which  tended  to  raise  the  desponding  rniiKU 
of  his  country.     Against  the  secretary  at  war,  tlie  cry  wasj 
every  where  so  loud,  that  the  president,  from  motives  of] 
prudence,  intimated  to  him  the  propriety  of  suspending! 
his  functions  fur  a  time;  this  his  pride  would  not  permit 
him  to  do,  and  he  therefore  resigned.    Again,  let  as  re* 
probate  this  hasty  and  arbitrary  condemnation  of  men  inl 
a  land  Oi*  freedom ;  such  treatment  of  our  publick  func*] 
tionaries  is  a  blot  on  our  national  character.    1  regard 
the  attack  on  Wabhington,  as  a  thing  whidi  could  not  have 
been  foreseen.    It  appears  from  the  ofiicial  letter  of  gene- 
ral  Ross,  since  published,  that  he  had  not  conceived  the! 
idea,  until  within  sixteen  jmles  of  it,  and  informed  of  itsl 
defenceless  state ;  that  .ilie  destruction  of  commudorel 
Barney's  flotilla  had  been  his  real  and  sole  object.    It 
was  on  his  part,  notwithstanding,  a  piece  of  unparalidedl 
rashness,  without  a  commensurate  advantage  to  be  gained.] 
From  the  improbability  of  the  attempt,  it  is  said,  that  the| 
secretary  at  war  could  not  be  persuaded,  until  the  last 
moment,  that  it  was  seriously  intended.    General  Win* 
dcr  demanded  an  examination  of  his  conduct,  and  a| 
court,  of  which  general  Scott  was  president,  hunouvabijl 
acquitted  him.  1 

Tha  character  of  Great  Britain  will  not  soon  recover! 
ffjUm  the  inlawy  attached  to  it,  in  eooaeqi^iepcQ  olf  m 


HISTORY  OF  THE  WAR. 


919 


fiolatioBB  of  the  laws  of  civilized  warfare,  committed  ou 
our  coast.  The  confirmation  of  Washinxt<m,  and  the 
plunder  of  Alexandria,  not  to  mention  the  despicable 
species  of  bucaniering  practised  on  the  defenceless  in- 
liabitants,  are  without  a  parallel  in  modern  wars.  Napo- 
leou,  whom  the  British  denominate  the  modern  Atiila, 
entered  the  capitals  of  the  principal  nations  of  Europe^ 
but  was  never  disgraced  by  such  wanton  and  unjustiiiaDle 
destruction.  These  acts,  grossly  barbarous  as  they  are, 
assumed  still  a  deeper  infamy  by  the  efti'ontery  and  false- 
hood with  which  they  were  justified.  A  tetter  from  ad- 
miral Cochrane  to  the  secretary  of  state,  dated  the  day 
previous  to  debarkation,  though  not  delivered  until  aftcj 
the  burning  of  the  capital,  stated,  that  having  been  called 
upon  by  the  governour  general  of  the  Canadas,  to  aid  him 
in  carrying  into  effect  measures  of  retaliation  against  the 
inhabitanls  of  the  United  States,  for  the  wanton  desti:uc- 
tion  committed  by  the  army  in  Upper  Canada,  it  became 
imperiously  his  duty,  conformably  with  the  nature  of  the 
QDvernour  general's  application,  to  issue  to  the  naval 
force  under  his  command,  an  order  to  destroy  and  lay 
wuste  such  towns  and  districts  upon  the  coast,  as  might 
be  found  assailable. 

The  secretary  of  state,  colonel  Monroe,  had  no  otiier 
difficulty  in  answering  this  extraordinary  letter,  than 
such  as  arose  from  the  shocking  depravity,  which  could 
thus  unblusliingly  publish  its  falsehoods  in  tlie  face  of 
day.  He  could  with  truth  reply,  that  in  no  insitance  had 
the  United  States  authorised  a  deviation  from  the  known 
usages  of  war.  Thatin  the  few  cases  in  which  there  had 
been  even  a  charge  against  them,  the  government  had 
ffln'maily  disavowed  the  acts  of  its  officers,  who  were  sub- 
ject to  punishment.  That  amongst  those  few,  the  charge 
of  burning  the  parliament  house  in  Upper  Canada,  wa» 
DOW  for  the  first  time  brought  forward  ;  until  now,  such 
ail  accusation  had  not  been  made  against  the  Americans; 
on  tlie  corfti-arj,  one  of  the  most  respectable  civil  func- 
tionaries at  that  place,  had  addressed  a  letter  of  thanks 


■■# 


iMiMteMk^/.. 


320 


HISTORY  OP  THE  WAR. 


to  general  Dcarborne»  for  the  good  conductjof  the  troops  :♦ 
and  moreover,  that  when  Sir  George  Prevost,  six  months 
afterwards,  professedly  proceeded  to  measures  of  retaH- 
ation,  the  affair  of  the  brick-house  was  not  mentioned. 
But  what  in  the  mean  time  were  the  atlairs  of  the  River 
Raisin,  the  devastations  on  the  shores  of  Lake  Cham- 
lain,  the  confiagrations  and  plunderings  on  the  sea-coast; 
were  these  in  retaliation  for  burning  the  parliament 
house  ?  Was  this  building  of  such  immense  value,  as  to^ 
render  it  impossible  for  the  nation  to  atone  for  its  de> 
struction  ?  But  we  were  told,  that  there  were,  besides,^ 
the  burning  of  a  few  sheds  and  huts  at  Long  Point  and 
St.  David's ;  these  were  followed  up  by  instant  retalia- 
tion, and  those  who  committed  them,  although  capable  of 
pleading  the  uniform  practice  of  the  enemy  in  excuse, 
were  dismissed  the  service.f  Were  the  conflagrations  in 
^e  Chesapeake,  during  the  summer,  in  retaliation  for 
these  acts  ?  or  >vere  they  in  prospective  retaliation  for 
tlie  burning  fot  Newark,  whien  he  ppened  at  the  close  of 
the  same  year  ?  What  was  the  avowed  object  of  the  Bri- 
tish governour  in  burning  four  or  five  villages,  putting  a 
garrison  to  the  sword,  and  laying  waste  the  Niagara  fron- 
tier ?  It  was  to  retaiiute  the  burning  of  Newark,  an  act  th& 
American  government  had  promptly  disavowed.  And 
why  did  the  governour  of  Canada,  after  this,  declare  to 
the  world,  that  he  was  doubly  satisfied,  first  with  the  disa- 
vowal of  our  government,  and  next  with  this  ample  mea- 
sure of  retaHation  ?  How  then  could  the  conflagration  of 
ttie  noble  buildinj^s  at  Washington  be  in  retaliation  for 
the  burning  a  brick-house,  hired  for  tlie  temporary  occu* 

*The  malignant  falsehoods  resorted  to  by  the  British  to  cover 
their  outrages,  are  truly  astonishing.  The  chancellor  of  the  £x« 
chequer  asserted  in  the  Briti&h  Parliament,  that  the  Americans 
at  York,  "  had  not  only  burnt  the  house  of  the  gp''  ?rnour,  but 
also  every  house  belongmgr  to  the  meanest  indivluuuV  even  to  a 
•hell,  and  left  the  populace  in  a  most  wretched  condition.'* 

f  The  burning  of  the  Indian  village  on  the  river  Thames, 
called  the  Moravians ;  not  the  Moravians  whom  our  countrvman 
Hackenwelder  devoted  his  life  to  civilize  and  improve,  out  a 
horde  of  savages  in  the  employment  of  Great  Britaiiv 


-etahation  for 


HISTORY  OF  THE  WAR. 


8^1 


nation  of  the  provincial  legislature,  or  for  the  burning  of 
Kevvark,  uf  a  few  out-posts,  and  the  cabins  or  huts  of 
hostile  savages  1  These,  by  the  admission  of  the  gover* 
nour,  had  been  more  than  expiated.  No !  such  pretexts 
are  too  absurd  to  impose  upon  the  most  ignorant.  A  la- 
mentable barbarity  has  marked  the  conduct  of  the  British 
in. the  war  throughout,  very  diiferent  from  that  of  the 
United  States,  who  sincerely  endeavoured  to  avoid  what* 
ever  might  stand  in  the  wa}  to  the  most  friendly  rela- 
tions, on  the  restoration  of  peace.  At  the  very  opening 
of  tiie  war,  the  British  officers  permitted  the  savage  to 
fight  by  their  sides,  while  we  declined  their  aid  ;  they  no^ 
only  niiade  them  their  allies,  but  did  not  interfere  to  pre- 
vent their  commission  of  horrours,  whose  recital  causes 
the  hair  to  stand  on  end.  When  the  British  admirals  vi^ 
sited  our  sea-coast,  under  no  pretext  of  retaliation ;  wheil 
no  complaints  had  been  made  against  us,  when  the  com* 
plaints  were  on  our  side,  they  plundered  and  burnt  thQ 
villages  on  the  Chesapeake  ;  the^  plundered  th^  defence- 
less planters  of  their  stock,  of  tneir  ue^oes,  of  their 
furniture,  and  at  Hampton  even  transcended  the  abo- 
minations of  the  River  Raisin.  On  the  borders  of  C%f 
nadai  tlie  same  i>ourse  of  burning  or  plundering  is  pur- 
sued, and  under  the  rage  excited  oy  these  series  of  out- 
rages, an  American  officer  burns  a  village  of  his  owr 
authority ;  gladly  is  this  seized  as  the  pretext,  for  the 
first  avoweiT  retaliation,  byi  laying  waste  a  whole  frontier! 
Their  outrages,  until  this  tintCi  were  without  pretext  for 
retaliation.  In  the  mean  time,  what  was  their  treatment 
to  ANMric|n  prisoners,  and  to  those  who  were  dragged 
from  theirNships  to  be  enslaved,  and  what  was  the  treat- 
ment of  British  subjects  prisoners  with  us  ?  What  pre- 
text of  retaliation  covers  the  violation  of  neutral  portst 
in  the  capture  of  our  vessels  confiding  in  their  sanctuary? 
What  pretexts  warrant  the  barbarous  orders  of  their  ofli- 
<!ers,  to  refuse  quarter  tc  men  opposed  to  them  in  honour- 
able battle  ?  When  is  the  measure  of  retaliation  to  be 
filled,  for  a  few  unauthorised  acts  by  individuals,  acta 
which  would  occur  in  the  best  reeulated  war  ?  It  seems 
(hat  aetliing  short  of  the  entire  devafe^tfttioa  of  oar  wholo 


-   )i 


•^"W4^. 


3i^ 


HISTORY  OF  THE  WAR. 


sea-coast,  containing  many  populous  cities,  and  several 
millions  of  people,  would  satisfy  this  unrelenting  enemy. 
No;  these  unfounded  pretexts  only  served  to  aggravate 
the  outrages  which  that  enemy  had  committed.  The  let- 
ter of  admiral  Cochrane  scarcely  deserved  the  notice  of 
the  secretary  of  state,  but  the  refutation  was  certainly 
most  ample.  It  is  impossible  to  sappose,  that  such  con- 
duct was  not  as  severely  reprobated  oy  the  great  mass  of 
the  English  people,  as  it  was  by  us.  The  minority  in 
Parliament  (who,  by' the  by,  with  them  represents  the  ma- 
ority  of  the  nation)  pronounced  it  to  be  disgraceful  to 
their  country. 

It  has  been  the  opinion  of  some,  thai  our  government 
ivas  reprehensible  in  not  resorting,  at  an  early  period,  to 
retaliatory  measures  ;  but  there  is  no  American  at  this  day, 
tvho  does  not  reflect  with  pleasure,  that  in  no  instance 
did  our  government  resort  to  such  measures ;  had  the  war 
•ontinued  much  longer,  it  would  perhaps  have  been  ua- 
avoidable*  It  is  difficult  to  refrain  from  drawing  a  com- 
parison between  the  devastating  order  of  admiral  Coch> 
rane,  and  the  order  of  general  Brown,  issued  about  the 
same  timC)  on  his  entering  Canada.  <'  Upon  entering 
Canada,"  said  he,  *<  the  laws  of  war  ^ill  govern :  men 
found  in  arms,  or  otherwise  engaged  in  the  service  of  the 
enemy,  will  be  treated  as  enemies ;  those  behaving  peace- 
ably, and  roUowing  their  private  occupations,  will  be 
treated  as  friends.  Private  property  will  in  all  cases  be 
held  sacred  ;  publiok  property,  wherever  found,  will  be 
seized  and  disposed  oi  by  the  commanding  general.  Any 
plunderers  shall  be  punished  with,  deathjt  VrjM>  tthall  be 
iband  violating  this  order,'* 


*.;i5. 


jr'X-Vti 


riiSTORY  OE  THE  WAR. 


S^i 


CHAPTER  XVIIL 


tensations  produced  hy  the  capture  of  Washington,  in 
Europe  and  in  En^ltind~^Effect  of  this  event  in  the 
United  States—Olorious  defence  of  Baltimore — The 
retreat  of  the  British — Capture  of  the  British  squad" 
ron  on  Lake  Champlain — liepulse  of  Sir  George  Pre- 
vost — The  British  fleet  leaves  the  Chesapeake,  and  a 
part  sails  to  the  south,  v 

The  capture  of  Washington  was,  at  tirst,  boasted  of  by 
the  British  ministry,  as  a  most  signal  exploit ;  but  it  win' 
viewed  in  a  very  different  light  on  the  continent.  To  say 
nothing  of  the  prosecuting  hostilities  with  augmenteti 
rigour,  ut  a  moment  when  there  was  a  negociation  for 
peace,  the  wanton  acts  of  barbarity  roused  the  indigna- 
tion of  all  the  powers  of  Europe  ;  and  in  the  British  par- 
Irnment,  so  great  a  s'^.nsation  was  excited,  as  to  cause  its 
perpetrators  to  shelter  themselves  from  publick  odium, 
by  the  basest  falsehoods :  the  ministry  were  compelled 
to  make  a  statement,  that  instructions  had  been  sent  to 
the  coast  of  America,  to  desist  from  further  inflictions  oi 
vengeance. 

But  if  the  effect  was  powerful  abroad,  it  was  unexam- 
pled throu(^out  the  United  States.  Party  spirit,  that 
political  fiend,  instantly  fled,  and  with  it  fled  the  dis- 
sections which  almost  paralyzed  the  eftbrts  of  the  nation. 
But  one  voice  was  heard  from  one  end  of  the  continent  to 
the  other ;  a  glorious  union  was  brought  about,  and  a 
nation  of  freemen  was  seen  to  rise  in  its  strength.  Those 
who  had  at  first  opposed  the  war,  from  an  opinion  of  i(*4 
impolicy,  or  who  condemned  the  invasion  of  Canada, 
now  saw  only  a  powerful  nation  about  to  precipitate  her 
armies  on  America,  with  the  avowed  intention  of  deso- 
lating our  fair  possessions.  The  poison  of  political 
4i«8eii»iooS|  was  de^id  witli  the  political  death  of  ^ia{H)u 


^i 


524 


HISTORY  OF  THE  WAR. 


l€©n  ;  and  who  could  now  say,  that  Britain  was  not  ac- 
tuated by  the  mere  thirst  for  revenge,  or  the  less  honour- 
able thirst  for  plunder  ?  The  war  now  came  home  to 
the  interests  and  feelings  of  every  man,  and  the  scenes 
of  preparations,  which  were  exhibited  over  the  continenti 
were  the  most  animated  that  could  be  conceived.  The 
whole  country  was  in  motion  ;  every  town  was  a  camp ; 
and  in  the  cities,  the  peaceful  avocations  of  the  citizens, 
which  the  war  until  now  had  scarcely  interrupted,  were 
laid  aside.  All  the  principal  cities  selected  their  com- 
mittees of  defence,  and  the  whole  of  the  population  mov- 
td  in  bands,  to  the  sound  of  martial  musick,  to  the  daily 
occupation  of  labouring  on  the  entrenchments  and  forti- 
fications. 

The  New  England  states,  at  first  so  much  averse  to 
the  war,  now  exhibited  their  characteristick  activity  and 
energy,  and  gave  at  once  a  satisfactory  proof  that  no- 
thing was  further  from  their  intentions,  than  seceding 
from  the  confederation.  The  governour  of  Vennont,  who 
had  the  year  before  made  an  attempt  to  recall  the  mi- 
litia of  the  state  from  the  service  of  the  United  States, 
and  on  which  occasion  the  militia  nobly  refused  to  obey 
him,  now  endeavoured  to  atone  for  his  conduct,  by  call- 
ing them  forth  in  the  most  animated  manner,  to  join  the 
standard  of  their  country.  The  American  ladies,  al- 
ways conspicuous  in  the  history  of  America,  for  tiieir 
patriotick  conduct  in  times  of  difficulty  and  danger,  ne- 
ver appeared  soloVely  in  their  zeal  for  tiieir  country. 

The  first  object  ot  attack,  it  was  rightly  conjectured, 
ould  be  Baltimore  ;  and  the  cities  of  Philadelphia  and 


W' 


New-York  waited  the  result  with  as  much  anxiety,  as  if 
their  fate  depended  upon  its  successful  issue ;  and  in 
this,  they  perhaps  had  reason  ;  for  should  Baltimore  fail, 
iluring  the  panick  which  succeeded  the  capture  of  Wash- 
ington, and  before  the  other  cities  would  have  time  to 
place  themselves  in  an  attitude  of  defence,  they  could 
make  but  a  feeble  resistance.  After  the  first  moment 
of  despondency,  occasioned  by  the  capture  of  Washing- 
ton, had  subsided  in  Baltimore,  and  it  was  discovered 
that  the  place  would  not  be  assMled  immediateiyy  the 


l^STORY  OF  THE  WAR. 


325 


lahahitants  set  about  making  preparations  for  defence. 
Under  the  tlirection  of  general  Smith,  a  ditch  was  opened) 
and  a  breastwork  thrown  up  bj  the  inhabitants,  on  the 
high  ground  to  the  north-east  (to  eflect  which  every 
ilass  of  people  united,)  so  as  completely  to  protect  the 
town  in  the  only  quarter  in  which  it  was  accessible  by 
land  forces. 

In  ac  few  days,  a  considerable  number  of  militia  ar- 
rived from  Pennsylvania  and  Virginia ;  and  the  spirits 
of  the  inhabitants  were  greatly  animated  by  the  arrival 
of  the  naval  veteran,  commodore  Rodgers,  with  his  ma- 
rines, who  took  possession  of  the  heavy  batteries  on  the 
l)ill.  A  brigade  of  Virginia  volunteers,  together  with 
the  regulars,  was  assigned  to  general  Winder,  and  the 
city  brigade  to  general  Strieker  j  the  whole  under  the 
iommand  of  major-general  Smith ;  the  two  latter,  dis- 
tinguished revolutionary  officers  :  general  Strieker  had 
served  from  the  commencement  to  the  conclusion  of  that 
and  shared  in  many  important  battles.    Tiie  ap- 


vai 


proach  to  the  city  by  water  was  defended  by  Fort  M*Ken 
fy,  commanded  by  major  Armistead,  with  about  sixty 
artillerists  under  captain  Evans,  and  two  companies  of 
sea  fencibles,  under  captains  Banbury  and  Addison  ;  of 
these,  thirty-five  were  on  the  sick  list.  As  this  number 
was  insufficient  to  man  the  batteries,  major  Armistead 
was  furnished  with  two  companies  of  volunteer  artdlery, 
under  captain  Berry  and  lieutenant  Pennington,  and  a 
company  under  Judge  Nicholson,  (>  hief  Justice  of  Balti- 
more county)  which  had  tendered  its  services.  Besides 
these,  there  was  a  detachment  uf  commodore  Barney's 
flotilla,  under  lieutenant  Kedtn'an  General  Winder 
kd  also  furnished  about  six  hundred  intantry,  unde( 
lieutenant  colonel  Stewart  and  major  Lane,  consisting  of 
detachments  from  the  twelfth,  fourteenth,  and  thirty  sixth 
regiments  of  the  United  States  troopi,  which  were  en- 
camped' under  the  walls  of  tiie  fort.  L'he  total  amounted 
to  aouut  one  thousand  men.  Two  batteries  to  the  right 
of  Fort  M'Henry,  upon  the  Patapsco,  to  prevent  the  ene- 
,my  from  landing  during  the  night,  Ifi  the  rear  of  the 
t^wDy  were  manaedi  tlie  one  by  U^tea&at  X  e«veum%» 

OS 


M 


■•■I 


3£6 


HISTORY  OF  THE  WAR. 


with  a  detachment  of  sailors;  the  other,  by  I'leutcnaDf 
Webster,  of  the  flotilla;  the  former  was  called  For] 
Covington  ;  the  latter,  the  City  Battery. 

It  wat  eaually  important  to  tne  safety  of  the  city,  that  ir 
the  event  ot  an  attack  by  land  and  naval  forces,  both  Khoultj 
be  repelled;  for  in  case  Fort  M*Henry  was  silenced  h\ 
tlie  shippin;;,  there  would  be  nothing  to  prevent  the  de^ 
struction  of  the  tou  n  ;  and  if  the  land  forces  of  the  eneo 
my  were  successful,  the  fort  could  no  longar  be  of  an^ 
avail,  and  would  even  be  untenable.  To  the  defence 
Fort  M^Henry,  and  to  the  repulse  of  the  British  from  tli( 
lines,  the  inhabitants  looked  for  safety.  Independent]] 
of  the  devastating  orders  of  Cochrane,  and  tlie  leceni 
•cenes  at  Washington  and  Alexandria,  this  city  was ; 
selected  obiect  of  the  vengeance  of  the  enemy,  in  conse^ 
quence  of  ner  active  and  patriotick  exertions  durin;;  th^ 
war.  No  one  can  imagine  to  himself  a  just  picture  of  the 
■tate  of  anxious  feeling,  among  fifty  thousand  people  o^ 
all  aees  and  texes,  for  the  approaching  crisis,  whicn 
would  determine  the  safety  or  destruction  of  their  city] 
And  even  in  case  of  successful  resistance,  tlie  must  paiaJ 
ful  incertitude  hung  over  the  fate  of  those  who  were  tq 
risk  their  lives  in  its  defence,  not  strangers  or  mercenaj 
lies,  but  their  bosom  friends,  their  brotlters,  their  sons  anc 
husbands;  every  one,  even  old  men  and  boys,  wh« 
could  wield  a  musket,  were  found  in  the  rank».  The  coin^ 
mittee  of  safety,  composed  of  those  advanced  in  life,  and 
the  most  influential  citizens,  (amon^  whom  was  the  res^ 
pectable  colonel  Howard,  a  hero  ot  the  revolution)  took 
a  large  share  in  the  preparations  to  meet  the  appruachiiij 
danger. 

liie  British  army  having  re-embarked  on  board  the  fleel| 
in  the  Patuxent,  admiral  Cochrane  moved  down  the  river 
and  proceeded  up  the  Chesapeake  ;  and  on  the  mornin|^ol 
the  i  1th  of  September,  appeared  at  the  mouth  of  the  PaJ 
(apsco,  about  fourteen  miles  from  the  city  of  Baltimorcj 
with  a  fleet  of  ships  of  war  and  transports  amouhting  tu 
fifty  sail.  On  the  next  day,  tlie  land  forces,  to  the  nuuibcr 
9f  at  least  six  thousanil  men,  tlie  veterans  of  WelliogtonJ 


HISTORY  OF  THE  WAR. 


S^ 


debarked  at  North  Point,  and  under  the  command  ofgene^ 
Ul  Uuss,  took  up  their  march  tor  the  city.  General  Striek- 
er claimed  for  the  city  hrigade,  under  his  command,  the 
honour  of  being  the  iirsit  to  meet  the  invader,  and  was 
accordingly  detached  hv  general  Smith,  in  anticipation  of 
the  landing  of  the  Uritinh   troops.     On  the  1 1th,  general 
Strieker  proceeded  on  tlie  road  to  Nortft  Point,  at  tne  head 
of  three  thousand  two  hundre<l  eftective  men  ;  consisting 
of  the  5th  regiment,  undl>r  lieuteiiaiit  colonel  Sterrett,  550 
sti'(>ng;  620  of  the  6th,  under  lieutenant  colonel  M*Do- 
nald  ;  500  of  the  2rth,  under  lieutenant  colonel  Long; 
550  of  the  S9th,  under  lieutenaiit  colonel  Fowler;  700  of 
the  51st,  under  lieutenant  colonel  Amey  ;  150  riflemen^ 
under  captain  Oyer;  150  cavalry,  under  lieutenant  colo- 
jncl  Biays;  and  the  Union  Artillery,  of  75  men  and  six 
l-fuur  pounders,  under  captain   Montgomery    (attorney 
I  general  of  the  state.)     A  light  corps  of  riflemen  and 
musketry  under  major  Randal,  taken  from  general  Stans- 
bury's  brigade,  and  the  Penns^  Ivania  volunteers,  were  de- 
tached to  the  mouth  of  Bear  C  reek,  with  orders  to  co-ope- 
rate with  general   Strieker,  and  to  check  any  landing 
1  which  the  enemy  might  eft'ect  \n  that  quarter. 

At  6  o'clock  P«  M.  general  Strieker  reached  the  meet- 
ing-house, near  the  head  of  Bear  Creek,  seven  miles  from 
I  the  city.  Here  the  brigade  halted,  with  the  exception  of 
the  cavalry,  who  were  pushed  forward  to  Gorsuch's  farm* 
three  miles  in  advance,  and  the  riflemen,  who  took  post 
near  the  blacksmith's  shop,  two  miles  in  advance  of  the 
encampment.  The  next  morning  ^the  libth)  '  :  7  o'clock* 
information  was  received  from  the  videttcs,  that  the  ene- 
my were  debarking  troops  under  cover  of  their  gun  vessels, 
wltich  lay  oft'  the  bluft'of  North  Point,  within  the  mouth 
of  the  Patapsco  river.  The  baggage  was  immediate- 
ly ordered  back  under  a  strong  guard,  and  general  Striek- 
er moved  forward  the  5th  and  2rth  reKinK'nts,  and  the 
artillery,  to  the  head  of  Long  Log  Lane,  resting  the 
fifth  withits  right  on  the  head  of  a  branch  of  Bear  Creek, 
its  left  on  the  main  road,  while  the  27th  was'  posted  on 
the  opposite  side  of  the  road,  in  a  line  with  the  5th.  The 
artillery  was  posted  at  the  head  of  tUe  lane,  in  the  inter* 


iiltU: 


$s» 


HISTORY  OF  THE  WAR. 


Tal  between  thefie  two  regiments.  The  S9th  was  dra\„ 
«p  three  hundred  yards  in  the  rear  of  the  twenty-sevent^ 
and  the  5 1st,  the  same  di&tance  in  the  rear  of  the  5th ;  th« 
6th  regiment  was  drawn  up  as  a  reserve  within  sight,  hal( 
a :  lile  in  the  rear  of  the  second  line.  Thus  judiciuush 
posted,  the  general  determined  to  wait  an  attack,  harinf 
given  orders,  that  the  two  regiments  composing  the  fronl 
line,  should  receive  the  enemy^and  if  necessary,  fall  bach 
through  the  51st  and  d9th,  and  form  on  the  ngiit  of  tlic 
6th,  posted  in  reserve. 

The  general  now  learned  that  the  British  were  .movin^- 
.jrapidly  up  the  main  road,  and  at  the  moment  when  hel 
.'xpected  their  approach  to  be  announced  by  the  riflemen|| 
stationed  in  th^  l^y/  thick  pine  and  {ur%,  in  advanceil 

freatly  to  his  chagrin,  he  discovered  tliis  corps  falling 
ack  upon  tlie  main  position,  having  listened  to  agroand-j 
less  rumour  that  the  enemy  were  landing  on  Back  River  J 
tr  cut  them  off.    This  part  of  the  general's  plan  having 
been  frustrated,  he  placed  the  riflemen  on  the  riglitof  hitl 
front  line,  by  this  means  better  securing  that  flank.    Thel 
Odettes  soon  after  bringing  information  that  apartyofl 
the  <nemy  were  in  a  cureless  manner  carousing  at  Gor-j 
S'^oft's  farni)  .'Several  of  the  officers  offered  their  services 
to  disk  age  him.    Captains   JiCverin^'s  and   Howard's 
Qc.ipanies,  from  the  5th,  about  150  in  number,  under 
maji^r  4ieath  c«f  th^t  regiment;  captain  Aisquith's  and 
$.  ^m  other  riflemen,  in  all  about   seventy;   i;  small 

:{i^e  of  artillery  under  lieutenant  Stiles,  and  the  caval- 

.  ry,  were  pushed  forward,  to  ehastise  the  insolence  of  the] 
enem;^'8  advance,  and  to  evince  a  wish  on  the  part  of  the 

,  American  army  to  engage.  The  detachment  had  scarce- 
ly proceeded  half  a  nulc,  when  they  came  in  contact  with 
the  main  body  of  the  enemy;  a  sharp  skirmish  ensued, 

•  in  which  major  fleath's  horse  was  shot  under  him,  and 
several  of  the  Americans  killed  and  wounded,  but  not  j 
linreveng^d,  fur  in  this  aflair  the  enemy  lost  their  com- 
mander in  chief,  general  Ross.    This  officer  had  impru- 

;  dently  proceeded  too  far,  fur  the  purpose  of  reconnoitring,  I 
when  be  waa  killed  by  one  of  the  company  of  captain 


■   ?,  ••.iT.- 


^Dth  was  dra\„ 
:wenty-8eventh] 
of  the  5th;  the 
within  sight,  hal( 
bus  judiciuusi) 
1  attack,  haiint 
posing  the  front 
C8sar^,fa1l  baci< 
the  right  of  tlx 

sh  were  moving^ 
loment  when  he! 
by  the  nflenien^ 
r\,  in  advancei! 
lis  corps  fallinj^ 
led  to  a  ground 
on  Back  River^ 
al's  plan  having; 
1  the  riglit  of  hit 
hat  flank.    The 
1  that  a  party  ofj 
rousing  at  Gor- 
id  their  services 
and  Howard's 
number,  under 
Ai^quith's  and 
'cnty ;  u  small 
and  the  caval- 
insolence  of  the  I 
n  the  part  of  the] 
nent  had  scarce- 
in  contact  with  I 
kirmlsh  ensued, 
under  him,  and 
uunded,  but  not 
lost  their  com*  I 
ficcr  had  impru* 
sf  reconnoitring,  i 
)any  of  captain ! 


Howard,  ^ 

Ross,  the  c 

tinued  to  f 

The  Ameri 

ceiving  the 

too  much  I 

they  were 

I  request  of 

eiore  inei 

I  field)  to  be 

At  half  pa! 

ling  rockets 

I  tain  Mont| 

I  was  return! 

Ileft  and  cc 

I  when  the  g 

I  view  of  bri 

I  Perceiving 

directed  ag 

the  S7th  in 

two  pieces 

I  more  comp 

Iportant,  co 

Inis  regimei 

(right  to  the 

■  executed,  a 

I  but  was  soa 

laid,  major 

and  Frail  J. 

The  enen 

ed  upon  thf 

ture,  tJie  51 

random  fire 

rendered  it 

I  same  disord 

[fireby  thi«  ( 

•  The  deal 
tice  boy,  arm 
«f  bushes,  an 


HISTORY  OF  THE  WAR. 


3199 


I  Howard,  who  was  in  t^e  advance.*  After  the  death  of 
Ross,  the  command  devolved  on  colonel  Brook,  who  con* 
tinued  to  push  forward,  notwithstanding  this  occurrence; 
The  American  detachment  fell  back,  and  the  (general  con- 
ceiving the  two  companies  of  Howard  and  Levering,  to  be 
too  much  fatigued  to  share  in  the  approaching  conflict^ 
they  were  ordered  to  form  on  the  reserve,  not  without  i^ 
request  of  captain  Howard  (son  of  the  patriotick  veteran 
before  mentioned,  and  who  had  two  other  sons  on  the 
field)  to  be  permitted  to  share  the  perils  of  his  townsmen. 
At  half  past  two  o'clock,  the  enemy  commenced  throw- 
ing rockets,  which  did  no  injury,  and  immediately  cap- 
tain Montgomery's  artillery  opened  upon  them,  which 
was  returned  by  a  six-pounder  and  a  howitzer  upon  the 
left  and  centre.  The  fire  was  brisk  for  some  minutes, 
when  the  general  ordered  it  to  cease  on  his  side,  with  a 
view  of  bringing  the  enemy  into  close  cannister  distance. 
Perceiving  that  the  efforts  of  the  British  were  chiefly 
[directed  against  the  left  flank,  the  general  brought  up 
the  S7th  into  line  on  the  left  of  the  39th,  and  detached 
two  pieces  of  artillery  to  the  left  of  the  d9th ;  and  still 
more  completely  to  protect  this  flank,  which  was  all  im- 
portant, colonel  Amey  of  the  dlst,  was  ordered  to  form 
nis  regiment  at  right-angles  with  the  line,  resting  his 
right  to  the  left  of  the  39th.  This  movement  was  badly 
executed,  a  d  created  some  confusion  in  that  quarter, 
but  was  soon  rectified  with  the  assistance  of  the  general's 
aid,  major  Stevenson,  and  the  brigade  majors,  Calhoun 
and  Fraily. 

The  enemy's  right  column  now  displayed,  and  advanc- 
ed upon  the  i^7th  and  39th.  Unfortunately  at  this  junc- 
ture, tlie  5 1st,  from  some  sudden  panick,  after  giving  a 
random  fire,  broke  and  retreated  m  such  confusion,  as 
rendered  it  impossible  to  rally  it,  and  occasioned  the 
same  disorder  in  the  second  battalion  of  the  39th.  The 
fire  by  this  time  became  general  from  right  to  left;  the  ar« 

*  Tlie  death  of  general  Ross  ha»  been  ascribed  to  an  appren- 

I  lice  boy,  armed  with  a  rifle,  and  who  fired  from  behind  a  tuft 

«f  bushes,  and  tbrfcited  his  life  for  his  temerity.    Thi*  raatter 

^  «tiU  Mo^wiuii  m  ctoubty  and  has  given  riie  to  soma  dtspult* 


*<**««t*il*fc-„ 


d3d 


HISTORY  OF  THE    WAR. 


tillery  poured  an  incessant  and  destructive  stream  upon  the 
enemy's  left  column,  which  endeavoured  to  shelter  itselfl 
behind  a  log  house,  but  this  was  instantly  in  a  blaze;  cap- 
tain Sadtler  having  taken  the  precaution  to  fire  it,  as  soon 
as  it  was  abandoned  by  him  ard  his  yagers.    About  ten 
minutes  pa-**  three,  the  British  line  came  on  with  a  rapid] 
discharge  ot  musketry,  which  wf    well  returned  by  the 
5th,  the  27th,  and  the  first  battalion  of  the  39th,  whol 
maintained  their  ground  in  spite  of  the  example  set  by  the] 
intended  support  on  the  left.     The  whole  of  the  general's  I 
force,  with  this  diminution,  scarcely  amounted  to  fourteeni 
hundred,  to  which  was  opposed  the  whole  of  th'i  enemy.J 
The  fire  was  incessant,  uptil  about  twenty-fi\  j  minutesi 
before  four  o'clock,  during  which  time  general  Strieker! 

tallantly  contended  against  four  times  his  numbers;  but 
xiding  that  the  unequal  contest  could  be  maintained  no 
longer,  and  that  the  enemy  was  about  to  out-flank  him, 
in  consequence  of  the  flight  of  the  51st,  he  was  compel- 
led to  retire  upon  his  reserve,  which  he  effected  in  goot' 
order.  Here  he  formed  his  brigade,  but  the  enemy  not 
thinking  it  advisable  to  pursue,  he  fell  back,  and  tool 
post  on  the  left  of  the  line,  a  half  a  mile  in  advance  oi 
the  entrenchments,  where  he  was  joined  by  general  W'uu 
der,  who  had  been  stationed  on  the  west  side  of  the  cityJ 
but  was  now  ordered  with  the  Virginia  brigade  and  cap] 
tain  Bird's  United  States  dragoons,  to  take  pest  on  the 
left  of  general  Strieker. 

The  conduct  of  the  Baltimore  brigade,  with  the  excep»| 
tion  of  the  dlst  and  the  second  battalion  of  the  39th,  wha 
"were  seized  with  the  panick  to  which  raw  troops  are  sd 
much  subject,  deserved  the  highest  praise.  Veterans  could 
not  hiive  done  more;  their  loss,  in  killed  and  woumledJ 
amounted  to  one  hundred  and  sixty-three,  (amongsj 
whom  were  some  of  the  most  respectable  citizens  of  Bal] 
timore)  about  an  eighth  of  the  force  engaged..  Adjutanj 
James  Lowry  Donaldson,  of  the  27th,  (an  eminent  law)'er| 
was  killed  in  the  hottest  of  the  fight ;  major  Heath  and 
major  Moore,  and  a  number  of  other  officers,  w  ere  wound] 
od.  The  loss  of  the  British  was  nearly  double  that  oftlid 
Americans,  according  to  their  own  acknowl«dgm«ut,  m 


HISTORY  OF  THE  WAR. 


S31 


probably  much  greater.  This  unexpected  resistance  had  * 
a  happy  eifect  upon  the  enemy ;  in  their  official  state- 
Dieiits,  they  computed  the  American  force  at  six  thou- 
sand, a  great  proportion  regulars,  and  estimated  our  loss 
atone  thousand,  from  which  we  may  infer  their  opinion 
of  the  manner  in  which  they  were  received. 

The  general,  in  his  re^rirt,  particularly  mentioned  the 
good  conduct  of  lieutenant  colonel  Sterret,  ami  major 
Heath,  and  major  Barr^,  of  the  5th  ;  c^tain  Spangler,  of 
the  York  (Pennsylvania)  volunteers  ;  adjutant  Cheston, 
who  was  slightly  wounded  ;  lieutenant  colonel  Long,  of 
the  27th,  wnich  regiment  "  was  unsurpassed  in  bravery, 
resolution,  and  entliusiasm ;"  lieutenant  colonel  Fowler 
and  major  Stei^er,  of  the  39th,  and  the  volunteer  com- 
panies attached  to  this  corps  ;  of  captain  Quantril,  from 
Hagerstown,  and  captain  Metzgar,  from  Hanover,  (Penn- 
gjlvania)  the  former  of  whom  was  wounded ;  captain 
Montgomery  had  a  distinguished  share  in  the  action,  and 
gained  great  honour  for  hmiself  and  his  company.  Ma- 
jors Calhoun  and  Fraily,  and  the  general's  aid,  major 
George  P.  Stevenson,  were  highly  complimented  in  gene- 
ral orders ;  majors  Moore  and  Robinson,  of  the  27i\i^ 
were  conspicuously  active  throughout  the  engagement.* 

•  The  instances  of  individual  patriotism  were  extremely  nux 
merous  ;  buL  it  is  difficult  to  pass  in  silence  the  conduct  of  the 
Ycnerable  James  H.  M'Culloch.  Although  near  seventy  years  of 
age,  and  of  a  weakly  frame,  he  proceeded  with  a  few  old  men 
like  himself,  and  requested  permission  to  stand  in  the  ranks  of 
the  company  which  he  had  commanded  twenty  years  before ;  be 
wa&  severely  wounded  and  fell  into  the  hands  of  the  enemy.  Tlie 
old  gentleman  was,  at  first,  a  subject  of  mirth  to  the  British 
•ificers,  who  jested  at  the  idea  of  a  person  of  his  years,  with  one 
foot  in  the  grave,  turning  out  as  a  common  soldier ;  but  their 
jest  was  changed  to  admiration,  on  the  arrival  of  the  accom- 
plished young  gentleman,  his  son,  a  surgeon  in  the  service  of  the 
Unitra  States,  and  when  they  learned  that  he  was  the  collector 
of  the  port  of  Baltimore.  Such  an  incident  proved  a  spirit  of 
resistance,  as  discouraging  to  the  foe  as  a  battle.  Mr.  N.  Wil- 
liams, a  senator  of  Maryland,  was  shot  through  the  body,  and 
left  on  the  field ;  his  brotli^r,  a  wealthy  merchant,  wus  severely 
wounded  in  the  thigh.  These  individuals  are  named,  to  show 
Ibc  kmd  of  materials,  of  which  the  troops  were  nompoiecb 


i 


5S2 


HISTORY  OF  THE  WAR. 


The  result  of  this  affair}  when  coummunicated  to  the- 
lines,  with  the  death  of  the  British  ^neral,  served  to 
cheer  the  spirits  of  the  militia,  and  inspire  confidence. 
The  brigades  of  generals  Stansburj  ana  Foreman ;  the 
seamen  and  marines  under  commodore  Rodgers;  the 
Pennsjrlvania  volunteers,    under  colonels  Cobean  and 
Findley;  the  Baltimore  artillery  under  colonel  Harris, 
and  the  marine  artillery  under  captain  Stiles,  manned 
tie  trenches  and  battery,  and  in  this  situation  spent  the 
night  under  armp,  prepared  to  receive  the  enemy.    The 
enemy  made  his  appearance  the  next  morning,  in  front  of ' 
the  intrenchments,  at  the  distance  of  two  miles,  whence 
he  had  a  full  view  of  the  position  of  the  Americans. 
During  the  morning,  by  his  manoeuvres  to  the  rights  he 
fieemed  to  show  an  intention  of  coming  down  by  the  Har- 
ford and  York  roads ;  to  baffle  this  intention,  generals 
Winder  and  Strieker  were  ordered  to  adopt  their  move- 
ments accordingly.    The  British  were,  in  consequence, 
compelled  to  concentrate  their  force  in  front,  and  to  ap- 
proach within  a  mile  of  the  entrenchments,  shewing  an 
intention  of  attacking  the  position  that  evening.    Gene- 
ral Smith,  therefore,  immediately  drew  generals  Winder 
and  Strieker  nearer  to  the  right  of  the  enemy,  with  a 
view  of  falling  upon  his  rear,  in  case  h(i  should  make  the 
attempt,  or  think  of  retreating  in  the  morning. 

In  the  meantime,  the  naval  attack  had  already  com- 
menced. The  fleet,  after  landing  the  troops  at  the  Pa- 
tapsco,  proceeded  to  bombard  Fort  M'Henry,  which 
commands  the  entrance  of  the  harbour.  On  the  thir- 
teenth, about  sunrise,  the  British  had  brought  sixteen 
ships  within  two  miles'  and  a  half  of  the  fort.  Major 
Armistead  arranged  his  force  in  the  following  manner : 
The  regular  artiliierists  under  captain  Evans,  and  the 
volunteers  under  captain  Nicholson,  manned  the  bastions 
in  the  star  fort;  captains  Bunbury's,  Addison's,  Rod- 
man's, Berry *8,  and  lieutenant  commandant  Penning- 
ton's command,  were  stationed  on  the  lower  works ;  and 
the  infantry,  under  lieutenant  colonel  Stewart  and  major 
liane,  were  in  the  outer  ditch,  to  meet  the  enemy  at  hi» 
badiiii^  sb9akl  be  make  such  attempt.    Ihe  attack  now 


,-i' 


HISTORY  OF  THE  WAR. 


m 


eommenced  from  five  bomb  vessels,  at  the  distance  of  twt) 
niles;  when,  finiHti<!;  themselves  sufficiently  near,  they 
anchored,  and  kept  uj)  an  incessant  bon^ardment,  while 
they  were  at  such  a  distance  as  to  be  out  of  the  reach  of 
the  ^uns  of  the  fort.  The  situation,  although  painfully 
inactive,  was  higbly  perilous ;  yet  every  man  stood  to  his 
post  without  shrinking.  One  of  the  twenty-four  pound- 
ers, on  the  south-west  bastion,  under  captain  Nicholson, 
vas  dismounted,  and  killed  his  second  lieutenant,  and 
wounded  several  of  his  men.  The  enemy  now  approach* 
ed  somewhat  nearer,  so  as  to  be  within  striking  distance. 
A  trevtendous  fire  was  instantly  opened  from  the  fort| 
which  compelled  him  precipitately  to  regain  his  former 
I  position.  The  bombardment  was  kept  up  during  the 
vrhole  day  and  night.  The  city,  ^i^  assailed  on  bothr 
|iides,  awaited  tlie  result  with  death-like  silence,  and  yet 
no  eye  was  closed  in  sleep.  Suddenly,  about  midnight, 
a  tremendous  cannonade  was  heard  in  the  direction  of  the 
fort,  and  the  affrighted  population  believed  that  all  was 
over.  Their  fears  were  soon  quieted,  by  the  information 
I  that  some  barges  of  the  enemy,  the  number  not  known, 
had  attempted  to  land,  but  were  compelled  to  draw  oft* 
with  all  possible  haste,  after  great  slaughter,  by  lieute- 
nants Webster  and  Newcomb,  who  commanded  the  city 
battery  and  Fort  Covington.  By  the  next  morning  the 
bombardment  ceased,  after  upwards  of  fifteen  hundred 
shells  had  been  thrown;  a  large  portion  of  which  burst  over 
the  fort,  and  scattered  their  iragments  amongst  its  defend- 
ers; a  great  number  fell  within  the  works,  and  materially 
itiiureiT  two  of  the  publick  buildings,  and  two  slightly. 
There  were  four  killed,  and  twenty -four  wounded;  among 
the  former,  lieutenant  Clagget  and  sergeant  Clemm,  of 
captain  Nicholson's  volunteers,  greatly  lamented  by 
their  fellow-citizens  for  their  personal  bravery,  and  high 
standing  in  private  life.  Lieutenant  Russel,  (a  gentle- 
man of  the  Baltimore  bar)  of  Pennington's  company, 
received  early  in  the  attack,  a  severe  contusion  in  the 
heel;  but  he  exhibited  a  noble  example  to  tlie  rest,  by 
remaining  at  his  post,  notwithstaiiVling,  during  the  whole 
bombardment. 


■i  ^ 


— ^*;.iiiij»ii, 


534 


HISTORY  OF  THE  WAR. 


In  the  course  of  the  night,  admiral  Cochrane  held  a 
eoinmunication  with  the  commander  of  the  land  furces, 
and  the  enterprise  being  deemed  impracticable,  it  was  mu- 1 
tuall^  agreed  to  withdraw.    The  bombardment  still  con< 
tinued,  after  the  retreat  commenced,  in  order  to  keep  up] 
the  attention  of  the  Americans,  while  the  enemy,  favour* 
cd  by  the  extreme  darkness  of  the  night,  atid  the  continu- 
ed  rain,  took  up  their  march  unobserved.     In  the  mean*  j 
time,  the  Americans  waited  the  approach  of  day  with 
much  anxiety.     About  ten  thousand  men  were  disposed 
along  the  lines ;  and  there  is  every  reason  to  believe, 
that  they  would  have  repelled  the  enemy,  with  great  loss, 
had  he  made  an  attack.     (Jommodore  Rodgers,  with  his 
brave  seamen,  wouidhave  given  them  a  warm  reception  1 
from  his  batteries.,  ^hese  were  commanded  principally  I 
by  the  officers  of  the  Guerriere — ^lieutenants  Gamble, 
Kuhn,  Rutter,  Frazier,  together  with  sailing  masters  De 
La  Rouch  and  Ramage,  and  other  naval  officers,  who  I 
inspired  confidence  by  their  i«*e8ence.      The  hero  of  I 
Lake  Erie,  commodore  Perry,  (although  excluded  froraj 
active  command  by  indisposition)  was,  however,  found 
on  the  lines  when  the  attack  was  expected.    Captain  I 
Spence  took  an  active  part  in  the  preparations  for  de*| 
fence.     At  day  light  the  enemy  had  disappeared.     Gene*] 
ral  Winder  was  immediately  detached  in  pursuit,  withl 
the  Virginia  brigade  and  captain  Bird's  dragoons.    Atl 
the  same  time  major  Randal  was  despatched  with  hisl 
light  corps,  and  all  the  cavalry  was  put  in  motion  fori 
the  same  object     The  great  body  of  the  troops  were,! 
however,  so  worn  out  with  continued  watciiing,  and  with] 
being  under  arms  during  three  days  and  nights,  exposed 
the  greater  part  of  the  time  to  so  very  inclement  weatherj 
that  it  was  found  impracticable  to  do  any  thing  morel 
than  pick  up  a  few  stragglers.    The  time  which  had 
elapsed  since  the  retreat  ot  the  enemy,  had  given  them 
atl  opportunity  of  protecting  their  embarkation  in  such! 
a  manner  as  to  prevent  any  part  of  their  rear  from  beingl 
cut  oft'.     The  next  day  the  fleet  descended  the  bay,  tof 
the  great  joy  of  the  city  of  Baltimore,  for  this  provideft' 
tial  preservation. 


HISTORY  OF  THE  WAR. 


-^SS 


The  intelligence  of  this  happj  event  was  received  in 
the  neishbounn^  cities  with  demonstrations  of  joy,  which 
eannot  oe  described.  The  brave  defence  of  Baltimore, 
soothed  the  publick  feeling  for  the  aif'air  of  Washinvton. 
But  one  moment  before,  the  popular  dismay  appear  to  have 
reached  its  achme;  and  the  most  gloomy  anticipations 
seemed  about  to  be  realized.  The  case  of  Baltimore 
came  home  to  every  individual  bosom,  for  all  the  Iar8;er 
towns  were  equally  threatened  with  devastation.  The 
feelings  of  the  inhabitants  of  the  city  itself,  can  with  dif- 
nculty  be  conceived  ;  measures  were  taken  to  celebrate 
the  occurrence,  to  reward  those  who  held  distinguished 
commands,  and  to  perpetuate  the  memory  of  this  awful 

!»eriod.  To  those  who  fell  in  the  sacred  cause  of  the  de- 
ence  of  their  lire  sides  and  their  homes,  a  monument 
was  decreed  to  be  erected  in  the  centre  of  the  city. 

The  illuminations  throughout  the  United  States  had 
scarcely  been  extinguished,  when  news  of  the  most  bril- 
liant success  was  received  from  the  northern  frontier. 
While  admiral  Cochrane  was  threatening  the  se^  coast 
I  with  devastation,  at  the  request,  af*  he  stated,  of  Sir 
George  Prevost ;  this  officer,  who  was  invading  the  United 
States  in  another  quarter,  held  a  very  diflferent  language. 
While  he  could  direct  the  British  forces  to  the  Soutli,  t» 
lay  w^^ste  and  destroy,  if  he  really  ever  gave  such  direc- 
tions, he  was  a  great  stickler  for  liberal  and  honourable 
warfare  on  the  borders  of  Canada,  and  was  particularly 
cautious  in  not  issuing  such  orders  at  the  heau  of  his  owb 
troops.  His  language  was  of  the  softest  and  most  conci- 
liatory kind.  On  entering  the  state  of  New-York,  "  he 
makes  known  to  its  peaceable  and  unoitending  inhabi- 
tants, thaf^  they  have  no  cause  of  alarm  from  this  invasion 
of  tlieir  country,  for  the  safety  of  themselves  and  fami- 
lies, or  for  the  security  of  their  propertjr.  He  explicitly 
assiiies  them,  that  as  long  as  they  continued  to  demean 
themselves  peaceably,  they  shall  be  protected  in  the  quiet 
possession  of  their  homes,  and  permitted  freely  to  pursue 
their  various  occupations.  It  is  aguinst  the  government 
of  the  United  States,  by  whom  this  unjust  and  unprovok- 
ed war  has  been  declared,  and  against  those  who  support 


t'.M 


\' 


''■*-"■ -»f.^^. 


^^6 


HISTORY  OF  THE  WAR. 


it,  either  openly  or  secretly,  that  the  arms  of  his  majesty 
are  directed.  The  quiet  and  unoffending  inhabitants  not 
found  in  arms,  or  otherwise  not  aiding  in  hostilities,  shall 
meet  with  kind  usage  and  generous  treatment ;  and  all 
just  complaints  as^ainst  any  of  his  majesty's  subjects,  of- 
tering  violence  to  them,  to  their  families,  or  to  their  pos- 
sessions, shall  be  immediately  redressed."  There  is  no- 
thing said  of  retaliation,  nor  the  slightest  hint  that  the 
war  on  the  part  of  the  Americans  had  not  been  conducted 
according  to  the  usages  of  war.  With  these  fair  words, 
Sir  George  led  his  army  to  Plattsburg,  about  the  h*?ffin- 
ning  of  September,  while  the  fleet  proceeded  on  his  left 
up  the  lake,  in  order  that  he  might  make  a  contemporane- 
ous attack  by  land  and  water.  Previous  to  this,  little  uf 
consequence  had  transpired  in  this  quarter,  excepting  an 
attack  on  the  battery  at  the  mouth  of  Oiter  Creek,  in 
which  the  British  were  repulsed  with  loss. 

The  British  had  been  greatly  reinforced.     During  the 
months  of  July  and  August,  the  army  from  the  Garonne, 
.whidli  had  so  much  distinguished  itself  under  Wellington, 
arrived  in  the  St.  Lawrence ;  a  part  being  sent  up  to  con- 
tend with  Brown  on  the  Niagara,  the  remainder,  about 
fourteen  thousand,  were  organized  by  Sir  George  Prevost, 
agreeably  to  the  orders  of  the  ^rince  Regent,  for  the  pur- 
pose of  entering  the  state  of  New-Yorki    There  is  good 
reason  to  believe,  that  this  movement  had  a  more  impor- 
tant oMect  than  a  mere  inroad  ;  had  it  been  successful,  a| 
powerful  attempt  would  have  followed  from  another  quar- 
ter, on  the  city  of  New-York,  in  order,  by  seizing  the  j 
line  of  the  Hudson,  completely  to«ut  oft'  the  New-Eng^j 
land  States ;  perhaps  under  the  gross  deception,  tiiat  the 
people  of  those  stiites  would  submit  to  be  recolonized^  1 
or  at  least  withdraw  from  the  Union. 

After  general  Izard  had  marched  to  the  Niagara,  the 
force  lift  at  Pittsburgh,  under  general  M'Comb,  did  not  I 
exceed  fifteen  hundred  regulars,  many  of  tiiem  invalids, 
And  new  recruits;  excepting  four  companies  of  the  6th, 
he  had  not  an  organized  battalion.  The  works  were  in  no 
state  of  defence,  and  the  stores  and  ordnance  were  in 
^reat  disorder.     The  Britibh  force  took  posseision  «it| 


HISTORY  OF  THE  WAR, 


337 


)k  possession  (A 


Ghamplain  on  the  St)  of  September,  .md  from  the  procla- 
mations, and  impressments  of -wag(;(>ns  and  teams  in  this 
vicinity,  it  was  soon  discovered  that  their  obj<!ct  was  an 
attack  en  Plattsbui^li.  Not  a  minute  was  to  he  lost  in 
placing  the  works  in  a  state  of  defence ;  and  in  order  to 
create  an  emulation  and  zeal  among  the  officers  and  men, 
they  were  divided  into  detachments,  and  stationed  in  the 
iieveral  Forts  ;  the  general  declaring  in  orders,  that  each 
detachment  was  the  garrison  of  its  own  work,  and  bound 
to  defend  it  to  the  last  extremity.  At  the  same  time,  he 
called  on  general  Mooers,of  the  New-York  militia,  and 
arranged  with  him,  plans  for  calling  out  the  militia  en 
masse.  The  inhabitants  of  Plattsburgli  fled  with  their  fa- 
milies and  effects,  excepting  a  few  men  and  some  boys, 
who  formed  themselves  into  a  company,  received  riiiesi 
and  were  exceedingly  useful. 

General  Mooers,  by  the  4th  of  the  month,  having  collect" 
ed  about  seven  hundred  militia,  advanced  seven  miles 
on  the  Beckman-Town  road,  t  >  watch  the  motions  of  the 
enemy,  and  to  skirmish  with  them  as  they  approadied  ^ 
at  the  same  time  to  obstruct  the  road  by  breaking  dowa 
the  bridges  and  fdlling  trees.  Captain  Sprowl,  with  two 
hundred  men  of  the  13th  Regiment,  was  posted  at  Dead 
Creek  Bridge,  on  the  Lake  road,  with  similar  orders;  he 
was  also  ordered  to  fortify  himself,  tvvo  field  pieces  beins 
attached  to  his  command  for  the  purpose.  In  advance  of 
this  position,  lieutenant-cuionel  Appling  was  posted 
with  one  hundred  riilemen,  for  the  purpose  also  of  watch- 
ing their  movements.  At  day  light  on  the  6tb,  it  was 
ascertained  that  the  enemy  were  advancing  in  two  col- 
umns by  each  of  these  roads,  dividing  at  Sampson's,  a 
little  below  Chazy  Village.  I'he  column  on  the  Beckman 
road  approached  rapidly  ;  the  militia  skirmished  a  little 
with  its  advance  parties,  but  which,  with  the  exception  of  a 
few  brave  men,  soon  broke,  and  fled  in  the  greatest  disor- 
der. A  detachment  of  two  hundred  and  fifty  men,  under 
major  Wool,  had  bean  marched  to  their  support,  and  to 
shew  them  an  example  of  firmness  j  but  it  vvas  found  unt- 
vailing. 


'i  ! 


»38 


HISTORY  OF  THE  WAR. 


Finding  that  the  enemy's  columns  had  penetrated  with* 
in  a  mile  of  Plattsburgh,  orders  were  received  for  colonel  I 
Appling  to  return  from  his  position  at  Dead  Creek,  and 
fall  on  the  enemy's  right  flank.  The  colonel  fortunately 
arrived  just  in  time  to  save  his  retreat,  and  to  fall  in  witii 
the  head  of  a  column  debouching  froiA  the  woods.  He 
poured  a  destructive  fire  from  his  riflemen,  and  continued 
to  annoy  the  column  until  he  formed  a  junction  with  ma- 
jor Wool.  Notwithstanding  that  considerable  execution 
was  done  by  the  field  pieces,  the  enemy  still  continued  to 
press  forward  in  column ;  considerable' obstructions  were, 
however,  thrown  in  their  way  by  the  removal  of  the  bridge, 
and  by  the  fallen  trees:  a  galling  fire  was  also  kept  up 
from  the  galleys  as  they  passed  the  creek. 

The  village  of  Pittsburgh  is  situated  on  the  north  east 
side  of  the  small  river  Saranac,  near  its  entrance  into 
Lake  Champlain,  while  the  American  works  are  situated 
directly  opposite.  The  town  being  no  lunger  tenable,  the 
parties  of  Appling,  Wool,  and  Sprowl,  were  ordered  to 
retire ;  whicn  was  accordingly  done,  keeping  up  a  brisk 
fire  until  they  had  got  under  cover  of  their  works.  The 
enemy  then  threw  their  light  troops  into  the  houses  near 
the  bridge,  and  annoyed  the  Americans  with  their  small 
arms  from  the  windows  and  balconies,  until  by  a  few  hut 
shot  the  buildings  were  set  on  fire.  Throughout  the  day 
their  light  troops  attempted  to  drive  the  guards  from  the 
bridge,  but  they  paid  dearly  for  their  pt  "severance,  and 
in  an  attempt  to  cross  the  upper  bridge,  whey  were  reso- 
lutely thrown  back  by  the  militia.  After  the  whole  of 
the  American  troops  had  crossed  the  bridges,  the  planks 
were  taken  up,  and  piled  in  such  a  manner  as  to  form  a 
breastwork. 

The  enemy,  new  masters  of  the  village,  instead  of 
attempting  to  carry  the  American  works,  on  the  opposite 
aide  of  the  river,  which  their  vast  superiority  of  force 
might  have  enabled  them  to  do,  contented  themselves 
wim  erecting  works,  whence  the^r  continued  to  annoy  the 
Americans,  and  constantly  skirmishing  at  the  bridges  and 
£brds.  By  the  eleventh,  the  fifth  day  of  the  sie^e,  a  con* 
•iderable  force  of  New-York  and  Vermont  militia^  which 


HISTORY  OF  THE  WAR. 


339 


Htid  been  continually  eoUectinj?,  lined  the  Saranac,  and 
repelled  the  attempts  of  the  British  to  cross,  while  at  the 
game  time,  a  considerable  body  was  sent  to  harass  their 
rear.  There  was  scarcely  an  intermission  t«»  the  skir- 
mishes which  took  place  between  them  and  the  militia, 
who  acted,  after  the  first  day»  with  ijreat  intrepidity. 
The  American  regulars,  at  the  same  tune,  laboured  in- 
cessantly to  extend  and  strengthen  their  works.  During 
this  time,  a  handsome  affair  was  achieved  by  captain 
M'Glassin,  who,  crossinjy  the  river  in  the  night,  assailed 
the  British  regulars,  more  than  three  times  his  numbers, 
stationed  at  a  masked  battery,  which  had  been  for  some 
days  preparing,  drove  them  from  their  posts,  and  demo- 
lished the  works. 

The  principal  cause  of  delay,  which  was  fortunate  for 
the  Americans,  was  the  momentary  expectation  of  the 
fle^t,  which  M^as  intended  to  co-operate.  On  the  morn- 
ing of  the  eleventh,  at  eight  o'clock,  the '  look-out-boat 
of  commodore  M^Donough,  announced  its  approach.  It 
consisted  of  the  fiigate  Contiance,  carrying  thirty -nine 
guns,  twenty-seven  of  which  were  twenty-four  pounders; 
the  brig  Linnet,  of  sixteen  guns ;  the  sloops  Chub  and 
Finch,  each  carrying  eleven  guns ;  thirteen  gallieSy  five 
of  which  carried  two,  and  the  remainder  one  jun.  The 
commodore  at  this  moment  hy  at  anchor  in  Plattsbui^ 
bay^  and  intended  in  that  situation,  to  receive  the  enemy* 
His  fleet  consisted  of  the  SaraU^a,  carrying  twenty-six 
guns,  eight  of  which  were  long  twenty-fuur  poundfers; 
the  Eagle,  of  twenty  guns ;  the  Ticoncleruga,  of  seven- 
teen; the  Preble,  7;  and  ten  galleys,  six  of  which  car- 
ried two,  the  remainder  one  ^n.  Besides  the  advantage 
which  the  enemy  possessed,  in  being  able  to  choose  their 
position)  their  h>rce  was  much  superiour.  The  number 
of  guns  in  theBiitish  fleet  amounted  to  ninety -five,  and 
of  men,  to  upwards  of  a  thousand  $  while  that  ot  the  Ame* 
ricans  was  eighty-six,  and  the  number  of  men,  less  by 
two  hundred.  One  of  the  American  vessels  had  been 
built  with  despatch  almost  incredible.  Eighteen  days  be- 
fore, the  trees  of  which  it  was  constructed^  were  actually 
growing  on  tlie  shores  of  the  lake. 


-Ktrttedik^ 


«i\.i( 


HISTORY  OF  THE  WAR. 


The  American  vessels  were  moored  in  line,  with  five 
gnn-boatS)  or  galleys,  on  each  flank.  At  nine  oMock, 
captain  Dowuie,  the  British  commander,  anchored  in  Ime, 
ahreast  of  the  American  squadron,  at  about  three  hundred 
yards  distance,  the  Confiance  opposed  to  the  Saratoga, 
the  Linnet  to  the  Eagle ;  the  British  galleys  and  one  of 
the  sloops,  to  the  Ticonderoga,  Preble,  and  left  division 
of  ^he  American  galleys;  the  other  sloop  was  opposed  to 
the  right  division. 

In  this  situation  the  whole  force  on  both  sides  became 
engaged,  and  at  the  same  moment,  as  if  this  had  been  the 
signiu,  the,  contest  commenced  between  general  M'Comb 
and  sir  George  Prevost.  One  of  the  British  sloops  was 
soon  thrown  out  of  the  engagement,  by  running  on  a  reef 
of  rocks,  whence  she  could  not  be  extricated,  while  one 
division  of  the  enemy's  galleys  was  so  roughly  handled, 
as  to  be  compelled  to  pull  out  of  the  way.  But  the  fate 
of  this  interesting  day,  on  which  tiie  two  rivals  for  naval 
superiority,  were  for  the  second  time  matched  in  squa- 
dron, depended  chiefly  on  the  result  of  the  engagement 
between  the  two  largest  ships.  The  American  commo* 
4ore  maintained  the  unequal  contest  for  two  hours,  but 
the  greater  weight  of  the  enemy's  battery  seemed  to  in- 
eline  the  scale  of  victory,  although  he  suffered  prodi- 
aaously.  The  chances  against  'the  Saratoga  were  acci- 
dentally increased  by  the  commander  of  the  Eagle,  who 
90t  being  able  to  bring  his  guns  to  bear  as  he  wished,  cut 
j^is  cable  ^nd  anchored  between  the  Ticqndcroga  and 
Saratoga,  by  which  this  vessel  was  exposed  to  a  gallins 
fire  from  the  enemy's  brig.  The  guns  on  the  starboard 
9ide  had,  by  this  time,  been  either  dismounted  or  become 
itnraanageaule ;  the  situation  of  the  enemy  was  but  little 
better  $  to  both>  the  fortune  of  the  day  depended  upon 
tlie  execution  of  one  of  the  most  difficult  naval  manoiu- 
to  wind  their  vessel  round,  and  bring  a  new  broad 


vres 


aide  to  bear.  The  Confiance  essayed  it  in  vain,  but  the 
efforts  of  the  Saratoga  were  successful ;  a  stern  anchor 
was  let  go,  the  bowe;'  cable  cut,  and  the  ship  winded  with 
1^  fresh  broadside  on  the  frigate,  which  soon  after  surren* 
dered.    A  broadside  was  then  sprung  to  bear  on  the  brig, 


HISTORY  OF  THE  WAR. 


841 


which  surrendered  in  fifteen  minutes  after.  The  sloop 
opposed  to  the  Eagle  had  struck  to  captain  Henley  some 
time  before,  and  drifted  down  the  line.  Three  of  the 
galleys  were  sunk,  the  others  escaped ;  all  the  rest  of 
the  fleet  fell  into  the  hands  of  commodore  M^Donough. 
By  the  time  this  bloody  contest  was  over,  there  was 
scarcely  a  mast  in  either  squadron  capable  of  bearing  a 
gall,  and  the  greater  part  of  the  vessels  in  a  sinking  state. 
There  were  fifty-five  round  shot  in  the  hull  of  the  Sara* 
toga,  and  in  the  Confiance  one  hundred  and  five*  The 
Saratoga  was  twice  set  on  fire  by  hot  shot.  The  action 
lasted  two  hours  and  twenty  minutes.  The  comniitnder 
of  the  Confiance  was  killed,  with  forty -nine  of  his  men, 
aiid  sixty  wounded.  On  board  the  Saratoga,  there  were 
twenty-ei»ht  killed,  and  twenty-nine  wounded.  Of  the 
first,  was  lieutenant  Gamble;  and  on  board  theTiconde- 
rbga,  lieutenant  Stansbnry,  (son  of  general  Stansbury, 
of  Maryland.)  Among  the  wounded,  were  lieutenant 
Smith,  acting  lieutenant  Spencer,  and  midshipman  Bald- 
win. The  total  loss  in  the  American  squadron  amount- 
ed to  fifty -two  killed,  and  fifty-ei^ht  wounded.  The  loss 
of  the  enemy  was  eighty -four  killed,  one  hundred  and 
ten  wounded,  and  eight  hundred  and  fifty -six  prisoners^ 
which  actually  exceeded  the  number  of  their  captors. 

This  engagement,  so  deeply  interesting  to  the  two  ri- 
val nations,  took  place  in  sight  of  the  nostile  armies.- 
But  they  were  by  no  nreans  quiet  spectators  of  the  scene, 
a  hot  engagement  was  kept  up  during  the  whole  time; 
the  air  was  filled  with  bombs,  rockets,  sharpnels,  and  hot 
balls.  Three  desperate  efforts  were  made  by  the  British. 
to  cross  over,  anu  storm  the  American  works,  in  which. 
they  were  as  often  repulsed,  with  considerable  loss.  An 
attempt  to  force  the  bridge,  was  bravely  defeated  by  a 
detacnment  of  regulars  and  captain  Grosvenor^s  riflemen. 
They  attempted  a  ford  about  three  miles  above,  but  were 
so  briskly  assdled  by  a  body  of  volunteers  and  militia^ 
posted  in  a  wood,  that  the  greater  part  of  the  detachment 
was  cut  to  pieces.  The  efforts  of  the  enemy  naturally 
relaxed,  after  witnessing  the  painful  sight,  so  little  ex* 
pected^  of  the  entire  capture  of  their  iteet.    The  firing- 

29* 


****•«-.■.,  i, 


""•"■^^"-^Wifcl., . 


34S 


HISTORY  OF  THE  WAR. 


ivas,  howtevcr,  kept  up  until  night ;  at  dusk  the  enemy 
withdrew  their  artillery,  and  raised  the  siege.   The  plans 
of  sir  George  Prevost'were  completely  fri  atrated,  since ! 
the  Americans  had  now  the  command  of  the  lake ;  even  l 
if  he  were  to  possess  himself  of  tlie  American  works,  it 
would  not  serve  him  in  any  furtiier  design  ;  in  the  mean 
time,  he  would  be  exposed  to  great  danger  from  the  hour- 
ly augmentation  of  tiie  American  force.    Under  the  cover 
of  the  night  he,  therefore,  sent  off  all  his  baggage  and 
artillery,  for  which  he  found  means  of  transportation;! 
^nd  before  day    the  next  mornin?,  his  whohe  force  preci*! 
pitately  retreated,  leaving  behind  their  sick  and  wound-l 
,  ed.     Vast  quantities  of  military  stores  and  munitions  of  I 
war,  were  abandoned  hy  them,  and  still  greater  quanti-f 
ties  were  afterwards  found  hid  in  marshes,  or  buried  in] 
the  ground.    They  were  hotiy  pursued,  a  number  ■: 
stragglers  were  picked  up,  and  upwards  of  five  hundred] 
deserters  came  in. 

Tlio6e  of  the  British  army  and  navy  who  fell,  were  in- 
terred with  the  honours  of  war.     The  humane  attention] 
of  the  Americans  to  the  wounded,  and  the  politeness  and! 
generous  attention  to  the  prisoners,  wcre<iacknow'ledged| 
in  grateful  terms  by  captain  Pryng,  (who  succeeded  cap- 
tain Downie)  in  his  official  despatch  to  the  admiralty. 

Thus  was  this  portentous  invasion  most  happily  repel- 
led, and  another  of  our  inland  seas  made  glorious  by  thel 
victories  of  free  Americans.  The  "star  spangled  ban-j 
ner'*  waved  in  triumph  on  the  waters  of  Cnamplaipj  as] 
it  did  over  Erie  and  Ontario.  These  noble  featurdii  inJ 
our  great  empire,  will  henceforth  be  viewed  with  a  Teryj 
difterent  iuterest  from  what  they  heretofore  excited. 


* 


was  comn 


HISTORY  OP  THR  WAR. 


S45 


CHAPTER  XIX. 


Unanimity  of  sentiment  in  Consress — British  sine  qua  non 
-~Jffairs  to  the  Southward — Creek  hostilities — Jnva* 
Slow  of  Louisiana — Affairs  of  the  gun-boats-^British 
forces  landed  in  Louisiana — Baitie  of  the  23rf  of  i>e- 
cember — Battle  of  the  8th  of  January — Tlie  British 
compelled  to  retreat — Bombardment  of  Fort  8t.  Philip 
•^Peace  with  Great  Britain. 

J.  HE  national  legislature  convened  under  very  different 
feelings  from  those  that  had  existed  in  tills  botiy  for  many 
years  past.  Party  spirit,  it  is  true,  was  not  altogether  at 
an  end,  but  no  other  course  remained  but  a  union  in  de- 
vising the  best  means  for  carrying  on  the  war,  which  had 
become  a  war  of  defence.  Whatever  difference  of  senti- 
ment might  prevail  with  respect  to  the  past,  and  as  to  the 
men  in  power,  there  was  but  little  as  to  the  course  to  be 
pursued  in  future.  The  great  cause  of  the  most  bitter 
complaint  against  the  administration,  French  influencei 
Was  at  ail  end,  and  the  recent  conduct  of  Great  BritatQ 
towards  ithis  country,  rendered  it  impossible  for  any  one 
to  say  that  she  was  not  wantonly  pursuing  hostilities 
when  these  causes  no  longer  existea.  No  one  could  now 
)ie  the  advocate  of  Britain. 

Ail  felt  the  neglect  with  which  our  ministers  in  Europe 
had  been  treated^  suffering  them  to  remain  for  months  un* 
tioticed,  shifting  the  place  of  neguciation,  and  with  a  du- 
plicity unbeconving  a  great  nation,  endeavouring  to  pro- 
long, for  half  a  year,  a  treaty  which  might  have  beeik 
accomplished  in  a  day.  But  m  hen  the  first  occurrence 
which  took  place  on  the  meeting  of  the  commissioners^ 
was  communicated  to  this  country,  it  produced  a  burst  of 
indignation  from  all  parties  on  the  floor  of  congress,  and 
tiirough  the  union.     It  was  thought,  that  all  hopes  of 


'■}  r 


'■"■'*-*«*«««*^: 


344 


HISTORY  OF  THE  WAR. 


peace  were  at  an  end,  and  the  people  began  to  prepar  tlieir 
minds  for  a  long  and  bloody  war.  From  the  instructions 
which  our  commissioners  had  received,  they  were  author- 
ised (in  consequence  of  the  pacification  of  Europe,  and 
the  necessity  of  Gre  »t-Britain  for  resorting  to  impress- 
ment no  longer  existing,  having  already  more  seamen  in 
the  service  than  she  required)  to  pass  the  subject  of  im- 
pressment in  silence  for  the  present  r  this  was  in  fact  no- 
thing more  than  the  request  made  after  the  commence- 
ment of  hostilities,  to  cease  the  practice  of  impressment 
pending  the  proposed  armistice.  The  practice  had  now 
ceased  with  its  alleged  necessity.  The  subject  of  block- 
ade was  also  "  ■  an  end  for  the  present,  with  the  power  of 
Napoleon,  and  ought  not  to  stand  in  the  way  of  pacilica- 
tion. 

There  was  nothing,  in  fact,  between  the  two  nations : 
and  our  war,  which  had  grown  out  of  the  war  in  Europe, 
•ftnd  the  injustice  practised  upon  us  by  both  the  belligerents 
from  alleged  necessity,  ought  to  nave  ceased  with  it. 
Perhdps  the  governt.».ent  was  censurable  in  this  ^reat 
anxiety  for  peace  $  perhaps  we  ought  never  to  have  yield- 
ed, until  some  provision  had  been  made  by  the  enemy 
to  prevent  the  recurrencei  at  some  future  period,  of  the  de- 
testable abusesinseparably  attendant  on  the  practice  of  im- 
pressing her  seamen  from  our  vessels;  a  practice,  which  had 
reduced  to  slavery  many  thousands  of  our  fellow  citi/^ens. 
But  the  nation  at  this  moment  required  peaci ;  we  had 
suffered  much  from  our  inexperience  during  this  first  war; 
a  few  years  repose  would  enable  us  to  vindicate  this  prin- 
ciple of  eternal  justice  with  a  greater  hope  of  success.  Be- 
sides, it  was  reasonable  to  conclude  that  Great-Britain 
had,  by  this  time,  dearly  f>aid  for  the  impressment  of  our 
citizens  and  the  confiscation  of  their  property,  and  that 
in  future  she  would  b?  cautious  how  she  infi-iaged  our 
rights.  II  is  seldom  by  compelling  an  enemy  to  acknow- 
ledge his  wrong,  that  a  war  is  successful ;  it  is-  by  klie 
resistance  made,  and  tlie  injiiry  inflicted,  that  its  object  is 
attained.  This  sincere  wish  for  peace  was  not  tlius  met 
by  the  British  commissioners,  who  proposed  at  once,  as  a 
nne  qua  non^  the  surrender  of  an  immense  portion  of  the 


mSTORT  OF  THE  WAR. 


A45 


American  territory,  and  a  total  relinquishment  of  the  lake 
shores.  These  new  and  unwarranted  pretensions  exci- 
ted universal  astonishment.  Could  it  he  supposed,  that 
the  English  commissioners,  on  an  occasion  like  the 
■resent,  would  descend  to  the  trifling  artifice  of  pro- 
longing the  negociation,  by  proposing  terms  from  which 
they  meant  to  recede  ?  could  they  consistently  with  the 
indignity  of  their  nation,  recede  from  them  ?  If  serious, 
luch  proposals  argued  a  surprising  Ignorance  of  the 
gituation  of  the  United  States,  or  a  disposition  to  insult 
them  in  the  grossest  manner.    ' 

A  subject  which  was  brought  before  the  legislature  of 
Pennsylvania,  and  which  received  the  approbation  of  alt 
parties  in  congress,  furnished  a  strong  proof  of  a  dispo- 
sition to  unite  in  the  cauije  of  the  country.  The  leaderi 
of  the  party  in  the  New'England  States,  opposed  to  the 
war,  had  grown  every  day  more  and  more  intemperatej 
while  the  great-mass  of  the  people,  on  the  contrary,  were 
kecome  better  reconciled.  Under  a  mistaken  idea  of  thtf  * 
real  sentiments  of  the  people,  a  convention  was  propos- 
ed to  meet  at  Hartford,  in  Connecticut;  and,  accoraing 
to  the  gazettes,  its  object  was  no  less  than  a  separation 
of  the  Union.  Whatever  this  may  have  been,  it  was 
loon  found  that  it  was  not  approved  by  the  majority  of 
any  party :  the  deputies  of  three  states  only  convened, 
scarcely  representing  a  third  of  Nelv -England ;  and  after 
a  shoit  session,  this  mighty  effort,  to  destroy,  as  was  sup* 
posed,  our  noble  patriotick  fabrick,  terminated  in  a  de- 
clamatory address  on  subjects  long  since  forgotten,  and  a 
remonstrance  or  petition  to  the  congress  otthe  United 
States,  enumerating  stale  objections  to  the  Federal  Con- 
stitution, and  which  was  presented  to  the  several  states 
for  approbation,  but  every  where  rejected.  In  the  Penn-* 
sylvania  legislature,  this  extraordinary  memorial  was  re- 
ferred to  a  committee,  and  a  noble  and  eloquent  report 
was  drawn  up  by  a  member  of  the  opposition,  in  which 
the  causes  of  complaint  were  clearly  refuted,  the  con- 
stitution ably  vinaicated,  and  the  conduct  of  the  me-, 
murialists  severely  censured.  This  attempt  to  destroy 
the  confederacy  of  the  states,  proved  only  disgracefvl 


I. 


mtrn'mmmj^i 


'**«iii#i^. 


****'««««*i«i 


d4d 


HISTORY  OF  THE  WA». 


to  those  by  whom  it  was  made.  Let  it  be  the  warm  pm\^ 
•r  of  every  American,  that  this  noble  fabrick,  reared 
b^  the  bauds  of  sages,  and  cemented  by  the  blood  of  pa- 
triots, may  be  eternal!  The  American  has  now  still 
greater  reason  to  admire,  and  love  the  institutions  of  hja 
•ountry,  since  the  most  violent  tempest  cannot  shake  this 
fortress  of  his  safety,  which  is'placed  upon  a  rock.  The 
confederation  of  these  states,  was  an  achievment^  which 
transcends  almost  every  effect  of  human  wisdom.'  How 
much  bloodshed  has  it  not  saved  already,  and  how  much 
will  it  not  save  in  future  ?  Look  at  the  eternal  wars  of 
the  Grecian  states  ;  for,  unfortunately,  it  is  but  too  true, 
that  neighbouring  independent  powers  are  natural  ene- 
mies. What  strength  does  not  this  glorious  Union,  give 
to  each  individual  state,  and  what  consequence  to  each 
individual  citizen,  who  is  thus  made  the  member  of  a  great 
nation,  instead  of  being  one  of  a  petty  tribe?  The  mind 
cannot  contem^ilate  this  subject,  without  being  filled  with 
""the  m6st  magnificent  conceptions :  eternal  infamy  to  the 
wretch,  whose  heart  caii  harbour  so  much  wickedness 
against  his  country,  and  malignity  to  his  fellow  creatures, 
9S^  to  wish  to  loosen  the  bands  by  which  we  are  made  a  na- 
tion, destined  to  be  one  of  the  greatest  on  the  globe! 

Another  important  affair  was  brought  before  congress. 
In  consequence  of  the  capture  of  Washington,  serious  ap- 
prehension were  entertained  that  a  removal  of  the  seat  of 
fDvernment  would  follow,  particularly  a«  it  was  well 
nown  that  there  were  a  number  of  enemies  to  this  scite. 
But  these  fears  were  soon  dispelled ;  the  question  was  fi- 
nally put  at  rest ;  the  veneration  for  the  great  father  of 
our  republick  prevailed  over  every  other  consideration, 
and  the  city  ot  Washington  is  now  destined  for  ages,  aiul 
it  is  hoped  for  ever,  to  be  the  seat  of  our  national  govern- 
ment. 

^  Our  finances  also  appeared  to  revive,  under  tlie  indefa- 
tigable industry  and  great  abilities  of  Mr.  Dallas,  whom 
the  President  selected  at  this  critical  moment  to  fill  the 
office  of  secretary  of  the  treasury.  His  plana  were  cha- 
racterised by  tlie  greatest  boldness,  but  were  unfolded  in 
80  luminous  (^  manner,  as  to  carry  conviction  to  every 


i''-j 


HISTORY  OF  THE  WAR. 


$47 


he  said  to  have  plucked  up  the  sink- 
nation,  by  the  locks.    The  duties  of 


toind.    He  njay 
1ng  credit  of  the 

tlie  secretary  at  war  were,  at  the  same  time,  discharged 
by  colonel  Monroe,  in  addition  to  his  other  avocations ; 
in  which  undertaking  he  exhibited  no  small  courage,  for 
it  had  become  a  forlorn  hope  of  popularity :  he  was  hap* 
pdy  rewarded  by  the  most  fortunate  success  in  all  his 
»isure^,  and  by  the  universal  applause  of  his  country. 
RfWh^  the  American  congress  was  thus  occupied,  th^^ 
publick  attention  was  awakened,  by  a  most  alarming  state 
of  affairs  to  the  southward.  The  Creek  war  was  renew- 
ed, and  a  powerfiil  invasion  of  Louisiana  was  threat- 
ened. General  Jackson,  after  coQcludin<^  a  treaty  with 
the  Creeks,  moved  his  head  quarters  to  Mobile.  Here, 
about  the  latter  end  of  ^August,  he  received  certain  in- 
formation that  three  British  sliips  of  war  had  arrived  at 
Pensacola,  and  had  landed  a  large  quantity  of  ammuni- 
tion and  guns,  for  the  purpose  of  arming  tlie  Indians, 
and  had  besides  marched  into  the  fort  with  three  hundred 
troops.  He  was  also  informed,  that  the  fleet  of  admiral 
Cochrane  had  been  reinforced. at  Bermuda,  and  that  thir- 
teen ships  of  the  line,  with  transports,  were  daily  ex- 
pected with  ten  thousand  troops,  for  the  purpose  of  invad- 
ing some  of  the  southern  states.  On  the  receipt  of  this 
information,  he  immediately  wrote  to  the  governour  of 
Tennessee,  calling  for  the  whole  quota  of  that  state. 

The  two  vessels  at  Pensacola  having  been  joined  by 
another,  appeared  on  the  fifteenth  of  September^  oft'  Fort 
Bowyer,  which  commands  the  entrance  to  Mobile  bay. 
A  proclamation  was  now  issued  by  colonel  Nichols, 
commanding  his  majesty's  forces  in  the  Floridas,  ad- 
dressed to  the  inhabitants  of  Louisiana,  Kentucky  or 
Tennessee.  If  it  was  not  intended  as  a  piece  of  hu- 
mour, it  proved  a  surprising  ignorance  of  the  character 
of  these  people.  The  inhabitants  of  Louisiana  were 
ealied  upon,  to  aid  the  British  forces,  in  liberating  their 
paternal  soil  from  the  usurpation  and  oppression  of  the 
Americans,  and  in  restoring  the  country  to  the  right 
owners  ;  as  if  these  people  would  prefer  to  be  a  remote 
Cblony  tf  Great-Britain,  a  nation  whom  they  hated,  t» 


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HISTORY  OF  THE  WAR. 


a  state  of  independence !  The  topicks  addressed  to  the  I 
people  of  the  other  states,  excited  tlieir  mirth  ;  and  this 
contemptible  buffoonery,  of  colonel  Nichols,  was  thought  I 
to  do  no  great  honour  to  his  master.  It  was  not  long  Be- 
fore this  o£5cer  made  an  experiment  of  the  persuasive 
effects  of  his  eloquence.  On  the  fifteenth,  at  four 
o'clock  in  the  afternoon,  he  proceeded  to  make  an  atf 
\^ack  oi.  the  furt,  at  this  time  garrisoned  by  major  Law- 
>en'>;e,  cf  the  second  infantry,  with  one  hundred  ai'.d 
tiv  '^ty  men.  The  batteries  were  opetflbd  upon  the  ene* 
mj ,  ''.nd  the  fire  was  returned  by  all  his  vessels.  Before 
this,  iJ  ("^rty  of  one  hundred  and  ten  marines,  with  two 
hundred  Creeks,  headed  by  captain  W'oodbiie,  and  I 
about  twenty  artilleriists,  had  landed  in  the  rear  of  the 
fort,  whert"  they  couuncnced  a  fire  with  a  twelve  poun- 
der and  a  howitzer,  but  were  goon  driven  from  their  po- 
sition.  The  vessels,  after  a  cannonade  of  three  hours, 
were  compelled  to  retire,  with  great  loss.  The  couinio- 
dure's  ship,  carrying  twenty -two  thirty-two  pounders, 
was  driven  on  shore  within  six  hundred  yanls  of  the  bat- 
tery, where  she  suffered  so  severely,  that  those  on  board 
were  obliged  to  set  heron  fire,  and  make  their  escape; 
out  of  a  crew  of  one  hundred  and  seventy,  this  was  ef- 
fected, however,  by  only  twenty.  On  board  the  other 
ships,  which  were  considerably  injured,  eighty-five  were 
killed  and  wounded. 

If  the  waggish  proclamations  of  colonel  Nichols  had 
Tendered  him  and  his  employers  ridiculous,  his  conduct 
in  another  quarter  was  such  as  to  cover  him  with  lasting 
infamy.  South  West  of  the  Mississippi,  in  one  of  tlie 
lakes  which  communicate  with  the  Gulf,  a  nest  of  out- 
laws, smugglers,  privateersmen,  or  more  properly  speak- 
ing pirates,*  had  fixed  themselves  on  an  island,  almost 
inaccessible*  These  desperadoes,  to  tlie  number  of  live 
or  six  hundred,  were  headed  by  a  ferocious  fellow  ot  the 
name  of  Lafite.  From  an  accurate  acquaintance  with 
all  the  secret  passages  to  the  Mississipi,  they  could  with 

•  They  pretended  to  have  uniformly  acted  as  privateersmen, 
under  the  flag  of  Cai'thagena,  but  Ihey  condemned  their  pnzes 
ia  tbeir  own  way. 


HISTORY  OP  THE  WAR. 


S49 


facility  smuggle  their  booty  to  N»iw  Orleans,  and  with 
their  aid  an  enemy  might  be  guided  to  the  very  entrance 
of  the  City  undiscovered.  Lafitte,  however,  with  that 
lawless  boldness  of  chtrtticter,  mixed  something  of  mag< 
ftaniniity.  tie  had  for  several  years  been  outlawed,  and 
his  estahlishment  had  been  broken  up  in  the  course  of  the 
summer,  by  a  detachment  under  colonel  Ross,  of  the  44th, 
and  a  naval  force  under  commodore  Patterson  ;  but  the 
force  was  no  sooner  withdrawn,  than  the  pirates  returned 
to  their  old  occupation.  .  The  British  had  been  solicited 
to  join  in  extirpating  these  publick  enemies,  but  they  de- 
clined, probably  intending  to  use  them  in  due  sea'"'>n» 
This  hau  now  arrived,  and  to  the  disgrace  of  the  j>ri 
tish  goViH^ment.  an  alliance  was  proposed  by  colont! 
Nicholsl^ith  extra va<>;ant  offers  of  reward  to  Lu.Htei 
But  what  was  most  humiliating  to  those  who  could 
stoop  so  low,  this  alliance  was  indignantly  rejected.  La- 
fitte at  first  ilissembled,  until  he  had  drawn  fror  the  co- 
lonel important  information,  when  he  disinissed  •  n  with 
disdain,  and  immediately  despatched-a  messenger  to  go- 
Vernour  Ciairborne«  who  had  sometime  offered  live  hua- 
dred  dollars  for  his  apprehension,  and  laid  before  him  in- 
contestible  proofs  of  the  truth  of  his  declaration.  The 
governour  was  agreeably  surprised  at  this  unexpected 
trait  of  generosity,  but  at  first  hesitated  as  to  the  course 
to  be  pursued  :  on  the  ap{)roach  of  danger,  however,  he 
issued  his  proclamation,  in  which  he  pledged  himself, 
that  those  engaged  in  this  illicit  course  of  life  should  be 
forgiven,  provided  they  would  come  forward  and  aid  in 
trie  defence  of  the  country.  This  was  joyfully  accepted 
by  the  Barratarians,  as  they  were  called,  who  rendered 
their  services,  and  were  found  eminently  useful. 

General  Jackson  having  in  Vain  remonstrated  with  the 
governour  of  Pehsacola  for  his  unprecedented  conduct^ 
determined  to  march  against  that  place.  Having  receive 
ed  a  reinfo^rceiuent  of  two  thousand  Tennessee  militia^ 
which  had  marched  through  the  Indian  country,  he  ad| 
vanced  to  Pensacola,  to  demand  redress.  On  the  6th  of 
November,  he  readied  the  neighbourhood  of  that  posty 
4ti|d  ioimedtateiy  sent  major  Peire  with  a  flag  to  commu^ 

50  ' 


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V  »!l«*fK««»?5.WSW.  < 


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HISTORY  OF  THE  WAR. 


nicate  the  object  of  his  visit  to  the  eovernour ;  but  he 
was  forced  to  return,  being  fired  on  from  the  batteries. 
Jackson  then  reconnoitred  tiie  fort,  and  finding  it  de- 
fended  both  by  British  and  Indians,  he  made  arrange, 
ments  for  storming  it  the  next  day.  The  troops  were  put 
in  motion  at  day  light,  and  being  encamped  to  the  west 
of  the  town,  the  attack  would  oe  expected  from  that 
quarter ;  to  keep  up  this  idea,  part  of  the  mounted  men 
were  sent  to  show  tfiemselves  on  the  west,  whilst  the  re- 
remainder  of  the  troops  passed  to  the  rear  of  the  furt,  un- 
discovered, to  the  east  of  the  town.  His  whole  force, 
consisting  of  a  few  regulars,  a  body  of  militia,  and  some 
Choctaw  Indians,  appeared  in  view,  when  within  a  mile 
©f  the  fort,  and  advanced  firmly  to  the  enemy's  works, 
although  there  were  seven  British  vessels  on  their  left, 
and  strong  batteries  of  cannon  in  front.  On  entering  the 
town,  a  battery  of  two  cannons,  loaded  with  ball  and 
grape,  was  opened  on  the  centre  column,  composed  of 
regulars,  and  a  shower  of  musketry  was  poured  from  the 
houses  and  gardens.  The  batterj*^  was  soon  carried  and 
the  musketry  silenced.  The  governour  now  made  his  ap- 
pearance  with  a  flag,  begged  for  mercy,  and  offered  to 
surrender  the  town  immediately.  This  was  granted,  and 
every  protection  afforded  to  the  persons  and  property  of 
the  inhabitants  ;  the  commandant  of  the  fort  retuscd  to 
surrender  until  midnight,  when  he  evacuated  it  with  his 
*troops,  just  as  the  Americans  were  preparing  to  make  a  fu* 
rious  assault.  The  British  withdrew  to  their  shipping,  uiid 
jAckson,  having  accomplished  his  purpose,  returned  to 
Mobile. 

By  the  first  of  Septemeber  it  was  reduced  to  a  certainty, 
that,  notwithstanding  the  negociations  pending  at  Ghent, 
serious  preparations  were  making  for  a  formidable  inva- 
sion of  Louisiana.  Governour  Clairborne  ordered  the 
two  divisions  of  the  militia,  the  fust  under  general  Vil- 
lere.  and  the  second  under  general  Thomas,  to  hold  them- 
selves in  readiness  to  march  at  a  moment's  warning.  He 
»lso  sent  forth  an  animated  address,  calling  on  the 
inhabitants  to  turn  out  en  masse,  for  the  defence  of  their 
Cainilies  and  homes,  from  the  lawless  violence  of  the  in- 
vader.    On  the  16th  of  September,  a  number  of  the  citi* 


HISTOKY  OF  THE  WAR. 


isi 


«ens  convened,  in  order  to  devise  measures,  in  co-oiera- 
tion  with  the  civil  authorities,  for  the  defence  A  the- 
country.  Mr.  Edward  Livingston  was  chosen  presi- 
dent of  the  meeting;  after  an  eloquent  speech)  he  pro- 
posed a  spirited  resolution,  which  would  repel  the  calum- 
ny of  the  insinuation  of  their  being  disaifected  to  the 
American  government,  and  would  prove  their  determi- 
nation to  oppose  the  common  etkemy.  This,  when  made 
publick,  was  received  with  universal  demonstrations  of 
applause. 

The  war  had^  thus  far,  been  felt  in  one  of  the  most 
peaceful  portions  of  the  globe,  only  by  its  efTects  ia 
commercial  and  agricultural  property.  In  consequen(;e 
of  the  suppression  of  trade,  and  the  low  price  of  ^l 
kinds  of  produce,  the  people  had  suilered  much*  The 
banks  hud  stopped  payment,  and  distresses  of  every 
kind  in  this  country  of  abundance,  had  begun  to  be  felt. 
The  great  mass  of  the  planters,  (at  least,  of  the  French 

{>art,)  of  an  amiable  and  gentle  disposition,  had  paid  but 
ittle  attention  to  the  existing  war;  th'i  militia  could 
scarcely  be  said  to  be  organized,  much  less  disciplined  or 
armed.  Nothing  short  of  an  actual  invasion  could  rouse 
them.  In  the  city,  the  case  was  different ;  from  the 
commencement  of  the  war,  as  if  sensible  of  the  feeble 
help  which  they  could  expect  from  the  general  govern- 
ment, they  manifested  the  greatest  alacrity  in  qualify- 
ing themselves  for  taking  the  field  against  an  invader. 
Every  man,  capable  of  bearing  arms,  had  become  a  sol- 
dier, and  perhaps  in  none  was  there  such  frequent  and 
elegant  displays,  of  well  disciplined  volunteer  compa- 
nies, dressed  in  uniform.  The  wonderful  aptitude  of  the 
French,  for  the  profession  of  arms,  was  never  more  fully 
displayed.  There  were  intermingled  with  them  a  num- 
ber of  men,  who  had  served  in  the  Frencii  armies.  The 
free  people  of  colour,  a  numerous  class,  were  permitted 
as  Si  privilege  of  which  they  were  proud,  to  form  volun- 
teer companies  and  wear  their  uniform  ;  some  of  these 
were  natives,  but  the  greater  part  had  been  refugees 
from  St.  Domingo.  The  American  and  French  inhabi- 
tants, although  sometimes  at  variance  with  each  other^ 


♦■ 


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S5t 


HISTORY  OF  THB  WAR. 


•n  thit  occMion  united  heartily  in  dislike  to  the  Bngliilk 
and  in  a  disptsition  to  frutitrate  their  designs. 

The  chief  dependence  of  the  inhabitants  for  safety^ 


which,  after  crossing  the  bar,  is  narrow,  deep,  and  ra- 
pid, and  of  a  course  so  winding  as  to  render  it  easily  sus- 
ceptible of  being  fortified.  To  the  west,  the  country  is 
composed  of  impassible  swamps,  and  on  the  East,  the 
Igif  marshy  coast  can  only  be  approached  through  a  shal- 
W  Tiie  most  natural  defence  of  such  a  country, 

would  be  sun  boats,  or  vessels  drawing  little  water,  and 
capable  of  being  easily  transferred  from  place  to  place. 
At  the  suggestion  of  commodore  Patterson,  a  blocK  siiip 
had  been  commenced,  but  was  not  yet  completed.  Great 
Uneasiness,  however,  prevailed,  on  account  of  the  pow- 
erful force  expected  to  attack  them,  and  the  deficiency 
of  tht»r  means  of  defence.  Louisiana  had  been  left  by 
the  administration,  which  had  neither  money  nor.  men  to 
aend,  like  other  parts  of  the  Union,  to  rely  chiefly  on, 
Itself.  It  was  certainly,  as  it  respected  men,  arms,  and 
military  works,  in  a  most  defenceless  condition.  The 
legislature  had  been  convened,  but  instead  of  actively 
providing  the  ineans  of  defence^  much  of  their  time  wa» 
spent  in  idle  discussion. 

In  these  times  of  general  alarm  and  danger,  nothing  ia 
of  so  much  importance,  as  a  man  at  the  head  of  affairs, 
possessed  of  firmnesB  and  decision  of  character,  in  whoin 
all  may  safely  confide.  Happily,  at  tiiis  critical  juncture, 
i^ere  was  found  such  a  man  in  general  Jackson.  Th}» 
officer  hastened  his  departure  from  Mobile,  on  hearing  of 
ibe  danger  of  New  Orleans,  and  arrived  on  the  second 
if  December.  Ilis  presence  was  instantly  felt  in  the 
confideuce  which  it  inspired,  and  the  unanimity  and  alacri. 
^y  with  which  they  seconded  every  disposition  of  a  man  so 
Justly  celebrated  for  activity,  prudence,  and  good  for- 
f|H|ie;  With  wonderful  rapidity,  he  put  in  operation  all 
%e,*  resources  of  his  fertile  genj^us,  for  the  defence  of 
^e* country.    He  visited  in  person,  according  to  his  i*- 


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variable  practice,  everf  point  where  it  might  be  necessa- 
ry in  erect  works  to  oppose  the  invaders.  AH  the  inlets^ 
or  bayous,  from  the  Attakapaas  to  the  Chef  Menteur  and 
Manchach,  were  ordered  to  be  obstructed.  The  bankd 
of  the  Mississippi  were  fortified  by  his  direction,  in 
such  a  manner,  as  to  prevent  any  of  the  enemy's  vessels 
from  ascending,  and  a  battery  was  erected  on  the  Chef 
Menteur,  so  as  to  oppose  the  passage  of  the  enemy  in  that 
direction.  He  then  called  on  the  legislature,  to  fur- 
nish.Iiim  the  means  of  expediting  the  different  works 
which  he  had  marked  out.  A  number  of  negroes  were 
furnished,  and  other  requisitions  promptly  supplied. 
About  one  thousand  regulars  were  stationed  at  New 
Orleans,  which,  together  with  the  Tennessee  militia  un- 
der Coffee  and  Carroll,  were  distributed  at  the  most 
vulnerable  points.  Colonel  Munroe,  in  anticipation  of 
the  approaching  danger  in  the  south,  immediately  after 
entering  on  the  duties  of  secretar/^at  war,  had  for- 
warded military  supplies  by  the  Ohio  river,  and  called 
on  the  ffovernours  of  Tennessee  and  Kentucky,  for  a  con- 
siderable force,  to  be  sent  with  all  possible  expedition  to 
Louisiana. 

About  the  fifth  of  December,  certain  intelliffence  was 
received  that  the  llntish  fleet,  consisting  of  at  least  sixty 
sail,  was  off  the  coast  to  east  of  the  Mississippi.  Com- 
modore Patterson  immediately  despatched  five  gun  boats, 
under  the  command  of  lieutenant  Catesby  Jones,  to 
watch  the  motions  of  the  enemy.  They  were  discover* 
ed  in  such  force  off*  Cat  island,  as  to  induce  the  lieute- 
nant to  make  sail  for  the  passes  into  Lake  Poutchartrainy 
in  order  to  oppose  the  entrance  of  the  British.  The 
Sea  Horse,  sailing  master  Johni^on,  after  a  gallant  resist- 
ance, was  captured  in  the  bay  of  St.  liouis.^  On  tho 
fourteenth,  the  gun-boats  while  becalmed,  were  attack- 
ed by  nearly  forty  barges  and  twelve  hundred  men,  and 
after  a  contest  of  an  hour,  with  this  overwlielming  force^ 
the  flotilla  surrendered.  The  loss  of  the  Americans 
was  forty  killed  and  wounded,  among  the  latter,  lieute* 
nant  Spidden,  who  lost  an  arm-f  lieutenants  Jon«s  aad 

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354 


HISTORY  OF  THE  WAR, 


il^Keever.    The  loss  of  the  enemy,  was  estimated  at 
three  hundred  men. 

The  destruction  of  the  gun-boats  now'  placed  it  in  the 
^wer  of  the  enemy  to  choose  his  point  of  attack,  and, 
at  the  same  time,  in  a  ^reat  measure,  depiived  us  of  the 
means  of  watching  his  motions.  The  commander  in 
thief,  that  no  precaution  might  be  wanting,  ordered  the 
battalion  of  men  of  colour  under  Lacoste,  together  with 
the;  Feliciana  dragoons,  to  take  post  on  the  Chef  Menteur, 
to  cover  the  road  to  the  city  from  the  lake  ;  and  captain 
Newman,  of  the  artiMery,  who  commanded  at  the  liego- 
lets,  was  ordered  to  defend  that  place  to  the  last  extremi- 
ty, in  order  to  prevent  the  British,  if  possible,  from  en- 
tering Poutchartrain.  Other  measures  were  rapidly 
adopted.  Coloriel  Fortier,  one  of  the  principal  mer- 
chants of  the  city,  who  had  the  superintendance  of  the 
Tolunteers  composed  of  the  men  of  colour,  formed  a  se- 
cond battalion,  which  was  placed  under  the  command  of 
major  Daquin.  The  legislature  appropriated  a  conside- 
rable sum  of  money,  and  by  means  of  bounties  which 
they  ottered,  a  number  of  persons  were  induced  to  serve 
on  board  the  schooner  Caroline,  and  the  brig  Louisiana. 
On  the  18th,  the  commander  in  chief  reviewed  the  city 
regiments,  and  was  particularly  gratified  with  the  ap- 
pearance of  the  uniftsrm  companies  com.manded  by  major 
rlauche.  The  other  battalion,  together  with  a  company 
of  light  artillery  under  lieutenant  Wagner,  was  ordered 
to  the  bayou  St.  John.  An  embargo  was  laid  for  three 
days,  by  the  legislature,  a  number  of  persons,  confined 
in  the  prisons,  were  liberated  on  condition  of  serving  in 
the  ranks,  and  at  length  the  commander  in  chief  con- 
ceived it  indii»pensable>  for  the  safety  of  the  country,  to 
declare  martial  law,  a  measure  fully  justified  by  necessity* 
Lafitte  and  his  Barratarians,  about  this  time  joined  the 
American  forces.  The  city  now  exhibited  an  interesting 
spectacle ;  alt  classes  cheerfully  propariug  for  the  recep- 
tion of  the  invader,  and  reposing  the  utmost  confidence 
in  Jackson.  All  was  life  and  bustle,  and  the  female  part 
of  the  society  seemed  emulous  to  share  in  this  aftecting 
scene. 


HISTORY  OF  THE  WAR. 


355 


lit  in  the 
ack,  and, 
us  of  the 
lander  in 
dered  the 
ether  with 
'  Menteur, 
[id  captain 
the  Kego- 
jt  extremi- 
!,  from  en- 
re  rapidly 
cipal  iner- 
Bince  of  the 
jrmed  a  se- 
lommand  of 
a  conside- 
ities  which 
scd  to  serve 
r  Louisiana, 
led  the  city 
with  the  ap- 
ed by  major 
a  company 
ivas  ordered 
id  for  three 
IS,  confined 
7  serving  in 
[i  chief  eon- 
country,  to 
jy  necessity* 
[e  joined  the 
1  interesting 
or  the  recep- 
,t  confidence 
Bfemaiepart 
his  aftecting 


All  the  principal  bayous  which  communicate  with  the 
lake,  and  the  narrow  strip  of  land  on  the  borders  of  the 
Mississippi,  through  the  swatnps,  had  been  obstructed. 
There  was, however,  a  communication  with  Lake  Borgne, 
but  little  known,  called  the  Bayou  Bienvenu,  used  by 
fishermen;  its  head  near  the  plantation  of  general  Villere, 
seven  miles  below  the  city.  Major  Villere  had  received 
orders  from  his  father  to  guard  this  bayou,  and  he  accord- 
ingly stationed  a  guard  near  its  entrance  into  the  lake, 
at  the  cabins  of  some  fishermen.  It  afterwards  appeared^ 
that  these  wretches  had  been  in  the  employment  of  the 
British.  On  the  twenty  second,  guided  by  them,  the'ene- 
niy  came  suddenly  upon  the  American  guard,  and  took 
them  prisoners.  The  division  under  general  Keane,  by 
four  o'clock  in  the  morning,  reached  the  eommencement 
of  Villere's  canal,  and  having  disembarked  and  rested 
some  hours,  proceeded  through  the  can  brake,  and  by  two 
o'clock,  reached  the  bank  of  the  river*  General  Villere's 
bouse  was  suddenly  surrounded,  as  also  tliat  of  his  neigh- 
bour, col.  La  Runde ;  but  this  ofiicer,  as  well  as  major 
Villere,  was  so  fortunate  as  to  etfect  his  escape,  and  hast- 
ening to  the  head  quarters,  communicated  the  intelli- 
gence. * 

The  alarm  gun  was  fired,  and  the  commander  in  cliief, 
with  that  promptitude  and  decision  for  which  he  is  so  re- 
markable, instantly  resolved  on  the  only  course  to  be  pur- 
sued,which  was^  without  the  loss  of  a  moment's  time,  to 
attack  the  enemy.  Coffee's  riflemen,  stationed  above  the 
city,  in  one  hour's  time  were  at  the  place  of  rendezvous, 
the  battalion  of  major  Plauche  had  arrived  from  the 
bayou,  and  the  regulars  and  cit^  vokiuteers  were  ready  to 
march-  By  six  o  clock,  the  different  corps  were  united 
on  Rodrigues'  canal,  six  miles  belew  me  city*  The- 
schooner  Caroline,  captain  Henley,  at  tlie  same  time 
dr(»pped  down  the  river.  The  command  of  general  Cof- 
fee, together  with  captain  Beale's  riflemen,  were  placed 
on  the  left,  towards  the  woods  ;  the  city  voluoteers  and 
men  of  colour  under  Plauche  and  Daquin,  the  whole  un- 
der vhe  comtnand  of  colonel  Ross,  were  stationed  to  tlie 
ii^ht  of  tliei^e^and  nexttoihemf  tlie  two  regimeoii  ofi 


J 


I 


hmpif 


HISTORY  OF  THE  WAft. 


regulars,  the  seventh  and  forty-fourth  ;  the  artillery  and 
marines  under  colonel  M*Rea,  occupied  the  road.  Hie 
whole  scarcely  exceeding  two  thousand  men.  The  Eii- 
tish  force  at  this  time  amounted  to  three  thousand,  and 
instead  of  pushing  directly  towards  the  city,  had  bivo':rck- 
ed,  fully  convinced  that  the  most  difficult  part  ol  the 
enterprise  was  already  achieved.  <!farroPs  force  was 
posted  on  the  Gentilly'road,  to  provide  against  an  attack 
m  that  quarter.  Coffee  was  directed  to  kirn  their  right, 
which  rested  on  the  wood  at  the  distance  ot  half  a  mile  from 
the  river,  while  the  general  assailed  their  strongest  posi- 
tion near  it.  Commodore  Patterson,  who  had  gone  on 
board  the  Caroline,  dropped  down  at  the  same  time,  and 
was  to  openliis  fire  upon  the  enemy  as  the  signal  of  attack. 
The  first  intimation  of  tlie  approach  of  the  Americans, 
was  a  raking  broadside  from  the  schooner,  tieit  fires  ex- 
tending from  the  river,  enabled  the  assaila.itd  to  take 
deliberate  aim  :  Coffee's  men,  with  their  usual  impetuosity, 
ruslied  nnon  the  right,  and  entered  then  camp,  while 
.Tackson's  troops  in  front,  advanced  upon  thetn  with  great 
ardour. 

The  enemy,  although  taken  by  surprise.,  and  having 
several  hundreds  suddenly  killed  and  wounided,  soon 
formed,  and  their  fires  being  extinguished,  came  into  ac- 
tion. A  thick  fog  •■ ' '"h  arose  shortly  alter,  producing 
some  confusion  in  t  ^  fferent  American  corps,  Jackson 
prudently  called  off  tus  troops,  lay  ojfi  the  field  that  night, 
and  at  four  in  the  morning,  took  a  position  on  the  other 
side  of  the  canal  of  Rodrigues,  which  had  formely  been  a^ 
mill  race.  The  American  loss  was  twenty-four  killed, 
one  hundred  ajid  fifteen  wounded,  and  seventy -four  priso- 
uersjAuiong  whom  were  many  of  the  principal  inhabitants 
of  the  city.  Colonel  Lauderdale^  of  Tennessee,  a  brave- 
soldier,  fell  mu*ch  lamented.  That  of  the  British  was 
estimated  at  four  hundred  in  killed,  wounded  and  mis- 
sing. They  had  intended  to  proceed  to  New-Oiieaiis  the 
next  day,  but  were  induced  to  be  more  cautious,  having 
estimated  Jackson's  force  at  fifteen  thousand  men^ 

The  general  set  to  work  immediately  to  fortify  his  po» 
lition.    This  was  effected  by  a  sin4)le  breastwork,  fi  wi> 


'_i^Bjl " 


mSTORi  OF  THE  W^R. 


!5f 


^e  river  to  the  awamp,  with  a  ditch  in  front.  To  htstett 
the  construction  of  these  works,  cotton  bags  were  used| 
9B  the  cheeks  of  the  einbrazures.  As  the  enemy  was 
(till  annoyed  by  the  Caroline,  they  set  to  work  in  con« 
structing  batteries  to  attack  her ;  and  on  the  twenty#se- 
Tenth,  threw  hot  shot,  by  which  she  was  set  on  fire  and 
blown  up,  about  an  hour  after  she  was  abandoned  by  her 
crew.  The  Louisiana,  which  then  took  her  station,  bus* 
tained  the  fire  of  all  the  batteries,  until  in  imminent 
danger :  in  losing  her,  the  whole  co-operative  naval 
ibrce  would  be  lost :  her  commander,  lieutenant  Toinp- 
son,  after  encountering  many  obstacles, '  finally  suc- 
ceeded in  bringing  her  near  Jackson^s  Msition.  Af- 
ter the  destruction  of  the  Caroline,  Sir  Bdward  F&dc* 
enham,  the  British  commander  in  chief,  having  landed 
the  main  body  of  his  army,  with  a  sufllicient  train  of  ar« 
tiilery,  superintended  in  person  the  arrangements  for  for<* 
tifying  her  position.  On  the  twenty-eighth,  the  British 
general  advanced  up  tlie  levee  in  force,  with  the  in* 
tention  of  drivins  Jackson  from  his  entrenchments,  and 
at  the  distance  of  half  a  mile  commenced  an  attack  witk 
rockets,  bombs,  and  a  heavy  cannonade,  as  he  approach* 
ed  the  American  works,  which  were  yet  unfinished^, 
The  Louisiana  discharging  her  broadside  upon  the  ene* 
my's  columns,  caused  great  destruction;  the  fire  from 
the  American  batteries  was  not  less  destructive ;  and  af- 
ter a  violent  struggle  of  seven  hours,  the  British  general 
retired.  The  loss  of  the  Americans  was  seven  killed  and 
eight  wounded,  among  the  former  colo..el  Henderson,  of 
Tennessee;  that  of  the  British  much  more  considerable. 
On  the  morning  of  the  first  of  January,  1815,  Sir  Ed- 
ward Packenham  was  discoveredd  to  nave  constructed 
batteries  near  the  American  works,  and  ac  day-light 
commenced  a  heavy  fire  from  them,  which  was  well  re- 
turned by  Jackson.  A  bold  attempt  was,  at  iha  same 
time,  m,aae  to  turn  the  left  of  the  Americans ;  but  in  this 
the  enemy  was  completely  repulsed.  The  IJritish  re- 
tired in  the  evening,  from  their  batteries,  having  spiked^ 
tlieir  suns,  and  leaving  beliind  a  quantity  of  ammunition. 
The  loss  of  the  Americans  on  tiu»  occasion,  was  eleven 


'<^- 


jftej 


HISTORY  OF  THE  WAR. 


it 


killed  and  twenty-three  wounded.  On  the  fourth,  genets  * 
ral  Jackson  was  joined  by  two  thousand  five  hundred 
Kentuckians,  under  general  Adair;  and  on  the  sixths 
the  British  were  joined  by  general  Lambert,  at  the  head 
of  four  thousand  men.  The  British  force  now  amount^ 
ed  to  little  short  of  fifteen  thousand  of  the  finest  troops  ^ 
that  of  the  Americans  to  about  six  thousand,  chiefly  raw 
militia,  a  considerable  portion  unarmed,  and  from  the 
haste  of  their  departure,  badly  supplied  with  clothing. 
All  the  private  arms  which  the  inhabitants  possessed  were 
collected,  and  the  ladies  of  New-Orleans  occupied  them- 
selves continually  in- making  diflferentarticles  of  clothing. 
The  mayor  of  the  city,  Mn  Girod>  was  particularly  ac*> 
tive'at  uiis  trying  moment. 

The  British  general  now  prepared  for  a  serious  at- 
tempt on  the  American  works.  Wi^h  great  labour  he 
had  completed,  by  the  seventh,  a  canal  from  the  swamp 
to  the  Mississippi  by  which  he  was  enable  to- transport 
a  number  of  his  boats  to  the  river :  it  was  his  intention 
to  make  a  simultaneous  attack  on  the  main  force  of  ge- 
neral Jackson  on  the  left  bank,  and  crossing  the  river,  at- 
tack the  batteries  on  -  he  ri^ht.  The  works  ot  the  Ame- 
rican general  were  by  this  time  completed ;  hid  front 
was  a  straight,line  of  one  thousand  yards,  defended  by 
upwai  ds  of  tfiree  thousand  infantry  and  artillerists*  The 
ditch  contained  five  feet  water,  and  his  front  from  hav- 
ing been  Uooded'by  opening  the  levies^nd  frequent  rains> 
^vas  rendered  slippery  and  muddy.  Eight  distinct  bat- 
teries were  judicously  disposed,  mounting  in  all  twelve 
gune  of  ditVerent  calibers.  On  the  opposite  side  of  the 
river,  there  was  a  strong  battery  of  fiUeen  guns,  and  the 
entrenchments  were  occupied  by  general  Morgan,  with 
the  Louisiana  militia,  and  a  strong  detachment  of  the 
K^ejitucky  troops.  To  gua?d  against  an  attack  from  ano- 
ther quarter,-  colonel  Reubin  Kemper^  witli  a  few  men^ 
eiif-ountering  infinite  difiiculties,  hadexplored  every  pass 
am?  bayou,  and  on  this  subject  had  placed  at  ease  the 
rahii  of  the  commander  in  chief 

On  the  memorable  morning  of  the  eighth  of  Januaryj 
general  Packeuhani)  having  detached  colonel  Thorntoft 


HISTORY  OF  THE  WAR. 


S99 


nth,  gen«t  * 
5  hundred 
the  sixths 
t  the  head 
vf  amount- 
ist  troops  $ 
:hiefly  raw 
1  from  the 
h  clothing, 
essed  were 
ipied  them- 
of  clothing, 
cularly  ac- 

serious  at- 
t  labour  he 
the  swamp 
to  transport 
is  intention 
force  of  ge- 
the  river,  at- 
bt  the  Ame- 
i  5  his  front 
defended  by 
crista*   Tlie 
it  from  hav- 
;quentrain8> 
distinct  bat- 
in  all  twelve 
!  side  of  the 
ihs,  and  the 
[organ,  with 
ment  of  the 
;k  from  ano- 
a  few  mcn^ 
Id  every  pass 
at  ease  the 

of  January, 
iiel  Thorntoh 


frith  a  considerable  force,  to  attack  the  works  on  the  ri^ht  ^ 
^puk  of  the  river,  moved  with  his  whole  force,  exceeding 
^weive  thousand  men,   in  two   divisions,   under  major 
generals  Gibbs  and  Kean,  and  a  reserve  under  general 
ILambert.    Tbe  first  of  these  officers  was  to  make  the 
principal  attack;  the  two  columns  were  supplied  with 
scalin;;  ladders,  and  fascines.    Thus  prepared,  the  Ame- 
ricans  patiently  w^ted  the  attack,  which  would  decide 
the  fate  of  Nev/-Orleans,  and  perhaps  of  Louisiana.  The 
British  deliberately  advanced  in  solid  columns,  over  an 
even  plain,  in  front  of  the  American  entrenchments,  the 
men  carrying,  besides  their  muskets,  fascines,  and  some 
of  them  ladders.      A  dead  silence  prevailed,  until  they 
approached  within  reach  of  the  batteries,  which  commenc- 
ed an  incessant,  and  destructive  cannonade :  they,  not-  • 
withstanding,  continued  to  advance  in  tolerable  order, 
closing  up  their  ranks,  as  fast  as  they  were  opened  by  the 
fire  ot  the  Americans.     When  they  came  within  reach, 
however,  of  the  musquetry  and  rifles,  they  joined  with 
the  artillery,  and  produced  such  dreadful  havock,  that  they 
were  instantly  thrown  into  confusion.    Never  was  there 
80  tremendous  a  fire,  as  that  kept  up  from  the  AmericiUi 
lines ;  it  was  a  continued  stream ;  those  behind  loading 
for  the  men  in  front,  enabled  them  to  fire  with  scarcely 
an  intermission.      The   British    columns  were  literally 
swept  away;  hundreds  fell  at  every  dischars;e.    The  Bri- 
tish officers  were  now  making  an  effort  to  rally  their  me' , 
ami  in  this  attempt  their  commander,  a  gallant  office:, 
general   Packenham,    was    killed.      Tiie    two   generals 
Gibbs  and  Kean,  succeeded  in  pushing  forward  their  co- 
lumns a  second  tune;   but   the    second   approach   was 
more  fatal  than  first ;  the  continued  rolling  fire  of  the 
Americans,  resembled  peels  of  thunder;  it  was  such  as 
no  troops  could  withstand  ;  the  advancing  columns  broke, 
an<l  no  eifort  to  rally  them  could  avail :  a  few  platoons 
only,  advanced  to  the  edge  of  the  ditch,  to  meet  a  more 
certain  destruction.      An  unavailing  attempt  was  made 
to  bring  them  up  a  third  time  by  their  officers,  whose  gal- 
lantry on  this  occasion,  deserved  a  better  fate,  in  a  better 
cftuse.    General;^  Gibbs  and  Keau  were  carried  away,  w* 


^1 


■;»* 


ft6d 


HISTORY  OF  THE  WAR. 


▼erely  wonncled ;  the  former  mortally.  The  plafh  between 
the  H'ont  of  the  British,  and  the  American  lines,  wut 
strewed  with  dead  ;  so  dreadful  a  carnage,  considering 
the  length  of  time,  and  the  numbers  engaged,  was  per*! 
haps  never  witnessed.  Two  thousand,  at  the  lowest  esti* 
mate,  presscfd  the  earth,  besides  a  number  of  the  woun- 
dcd  who  were  not  able  to  escape.  The  loss  of  the  Ame« 
ricans  did  not  exceed  seven  Killed,  and  six  wounded^ 
General  Lambert  was  the  only  general  officer  left  upon 
the  field ;  being  unable  to  check  the  flight  of  the  Brit- 
ish columns,  he  retired  to  his  encampment. 

In  the  mean  time,  the  detachment  under  colonel  Thorn- 
ton.succeeded  in  landing  on  the  right  bank,  and  immedi- 
ately  attacked  the  entrenchments  of  general  Morgank 
The  American  right,  believing  itself  out-flanked,  aban- 
doned its  position,  while  the  left  man? tained  its  ground 
for  some  time ;  but  finding  itself  deserted  by  those  on  the 
right,  and  being  outnumbered  by  the  enemy,  they  spiked 
titeir  guns,  and  retired.  Colonel  Thornton  was  severely 
wounded,  and  the  command  devolved  on  colonel  Gobbins, 
who  seeing  the  fate  of  the  assault  on  the  left  bank,  and 
receiving  orders  from  general  Lambert,  recrossed  the 
river. 

On  the  return  of  general  Lambert  to  his  camp,  it 
was  resolved,  in  consultation  with  admiral  Cochrane, 
to  retire  to  their  shipping.  This  was  effected  with  great 
secresy  ;  and  during  the  night  of  tlie  eighteenth,  their 
camp  was  entirely  evacuated.  From  the  nature  of  the 
country,  it  was  found  impossible  to  pursue  them  ;  they 
left  eight  of  their  wounded,  and  fourteen  pieces  of  artiU 
leiy.  Their  loss  in  this  fatal  expedition  was  immense; 
besides  their  generals,  and  a  number  of  valuable  oflicers, 
their  force  was  diminished  by  at  least  five  thousand  ment 
It  was  in  vain,  as  in  other  instances,  to  conceal  the  truth 
•f  this  affair,  and  the  sensations  which  it  produced  in 
Great  Britain,  are  not  easily  described  ;  theconduct^of  the 
ministry  was  re<^ardcd  as  shamefully  dishonourable,  in 
thus  stretching  torth  one  hand  to  receive  the  olive,  which 
was  tendered  by  America,  and  at  the  same  time  secretlj^ 
wielding  a  dagger  with  the  other. 


HISTORY  OF  THE  WAR. 


361 


lel  Thorn^ 
,d  immedi- 
l  Morgan^ 
ked,  aban- 
its  ground 
liose  on  the 
[.hey  spiked 
as  severely 
el  Gobbins, 
bank,  and 
crossed  the 


Commodore  Patterson  despatched  five  boats,  under 
]i|.  Shields,  purser  on  the  New  Orleans  station,  in  or- 
dftf  to  annoy  tne  retreat  of  the  British.  This  active  and 
flfffirited  officer  succeeded  in  capturing  several  of  their 
boats,  and  in  taking  a  number  of  prisoners.  The  glorious 
defence  of  New  Orleans  produced  the  most  lively  joy 
tiurduffhout  the  United  States,  mingled,  however,  with 
inty  lor  a  brave  enem;^,  who  had  encountered  so  disas- 
trous a  defeat.  The  British  fleet  had)  at  the  same  time,  as- 
cended the  Mississippi,  for  the  purpose  of  bombarding 
Fort  St.  Philip,  whicn  was  commanded  by  major  Over- 
ton ;  but  without  being  able  to  make  any  impression. 

Tliere  is  but  little  doubt  that  the  object  of  Great-Bri- 
tain, was  to  possess  herself  of  Louisiana,  and  obtaining  « 
session  from  Spain,  draw  a  cordon  round  the  TJni- 
ted  States,  and  by  that  means  strangle  this  youne  Her- 
cules, as  it  were  in  the  cradle.  It  is  well  knowii  tnat  on 
board  the  fleet,  they  had  brought  all  the  ofiicers  necessary 
for  the  establishment  of  a  civil  government,  even  a  col- 
lector of  the  port !  An  American  must  tremble  for  hia 
country,  when  he  looks  back  at  the  dan^r  we  have  es- 
caped. That  the  British  intended  to  deliver  the  city  of 
New  Orleans  to  be  sacked  by  their  soldiery,  is  very 
doubtful,  and  from  the  high  character  of  Sir  Edward 
Packenham,  it  is  highly  improbable  that  he  would  have 
g^yen,  as  the  watchword  of  the  occasion,  beauty  and  boo- 
ty;  this  was  more  probably  spoken  by  some  ot  the  infe- 
nour  officers,  with  a  view  of  producing  an  excitement 
amonff  the  soldiery . 

While  these  bloody  affiiirs  transpired  on  the  Mississip- 

{»,  admiral  Cockburn  was  pursuing  a  more  lucrative,  but 
ess  dangerous  warfare,  in  the  Carolinas  and  Georgia. 
He  took  possession  of  Cumberland  island,  and  menacing 
Charleston  and  Savannah,  he  sent  out  various  detachments, 
several  of  which  were  bravely  repulsed  ;  but  hiis  chief  oc- 
cupation was  plundering  the  inhabitants  of  their  sta- 
ples, and  household  furniture.  The  letters  of  some  of 
nis  officers,  which  were  intercepted,  display  a  species  of 
vul^r  cupidity,  very  mortifying  to  the  better  class  of 
their  countrymen,  who  could  not  but  feel  ashamed  of  thejr 

91 


m 


HISTORY  OP  THE  WAR. 


comhwt.  The  moet  mual  topicks  of  these  tetters^  m^ 
tlie  amount  and  specieR  of  plander  which  they  procikred  | 
desks,  looking  frlasses*  bireaus,  and  cntton  Mies,  es^ 
ultingl  J  enumerated,  as  if  they  iMid  been  the  uliimale  ^n^ 
ry  and  end  of  war. 

Themomentovs  intelligetice  oi  the  defeat  «fth«  BritiBli 
at  N«w  Orleans,  had  scarcely  ceased  to  operate  upon  tht 
feelings  of  the  people  of  the  United  States,  When  they. 
received  the  welcome  news  of  peace.  Hiese  two  events 
were  joyfully  celebrated,  by  illuminations  throughout  this 
land  of  freedom  and  independence. 

Thus  terminated  a  glcrious  and  eventful  war  of  three 
years.  It  in  related  m*  the  wise  Franklin,  that  hearing 
some  one  speak  of  our  first  war  with  Britain,  as  the  mar 
of  independence,  he  reproved  him:  ^^ir,"  saidhe,*<yoa 
nean  ot*the  revolution  ;  the  war  of  independence  is  yet 
to  come."  It  is  now  over ;  we  have  burst  our  bands  at 
last.  »nd  every  hope  on  the  part  of  Britain  to  bring  us 
back  to  the  state  of  colonies,  has  fled  for  ever.  She  has 
been  taught  a  lesson  which  she  cannot  soon  forget^  that  it 
is  much  cheaper  to  do  us  justice,  thiui  to  practise  her  ttn<* 
warranted  oppressions.  If  she  drove  us  intd  a  war,  by  tiw 
capture  during  peace  of  a  thousand  of  our  merchantmen, 
and  the  enslaving  seven  thousand  of  our  fellow  eiti&^ens, 
i^e  has  found  that  during  war,  two  thousand  of  hei*  owh 
ships  have  been  lost,  her  puhlidi  vessels  compelkd  to 
strike  to  those  of  the  Americans,  and  her  natioiMkl  debt 
increased  by  many  millions.  She  has  learned  the  pain>> 
ful  truth,  tliat  she  has  a  superiour  on  the  Ocean.  She  has 
been  taught  that  her  threats  of  burning  our  towns>  and 
chastising  our  presumption,  would  only  bring  destruction 
npon  her  own  head,  when  attempted  to  be  carried  ints 
execution  $  she  has  seen  the  market  for  her  manufisctures 
greatly  diminished  in  America-— All  this  might  hayd 
Been  saved  by  a  timely  repeal  of  her  orders  in  council} 
by  acceding  to  the  friendly  arrangement)  so  often 
;^'oposed  on  our  part,  to  provide  against  the  abuse 
*ftne  practice  of  impressment,  by  which  the  lieutenant 
or  boatswain  of  a  man  of  war,  could  decide,  without  evi- 
liuice,  and  in  a  moment,  upon  the  life  and  iibevty  of  ai 


HISTORY  OF  THE  WAR. 


36d 


irar  of  three 
hat  hewing 
I,  us  th»  war 
iaidhCi^yott 
dcncfe  ie  yet 
)Tir  bands  at 
to  bring  tt« 
^r.     She  has 
brtget^  that  it 
ctwe  her  un- 
atvar,by<i«e 
iierohantmen, 
How  dtifcena, 
I  of  h«r  owto 
coiApeii^*^  to 
latioiMd  debt 
ted  the  pai«'' 
jftii.    8h«hat 
ir  towti«>  And 
\g  d«stTiictioa 
carried  into 
manufactures 
might  hay* 
irt  in  cottocili 
jnt,  80  often 
tgt  the  abuse 
the  lieutenant 
without  evi- 
Hbwty  of  »» 


Anerican  citizen.  We  have  at  last  compelled  this  im- 
placidile  enemy  of  our  political  institutions,  to  treat  us 
with  respect;  and  an  American  may  own  his  country 
with  pride,  in  whatever  portion  of  the  globe  his  fortune 
may  lead  him.  It  is  hoped  that  Britain  will  at  last,  treat 
ns  as  she  does  other  nations,  if  not  with  the  civility,  at 
least  without  superciliousness  and  scorn. 

Although  a  task  by  no  means  easy,  let  us  foi^ve  the 
ungenerous  temper  with  which  the  last  war  has  been  con- 
ducted towards  us,  but  let  us  not  foi^et  it ;  let  us  keep  it 
in  view*  until  Britain,  by  her  friendly  deportment,  mani- 
fests a  wish  to  atone ;  let  us  not  hastily  charge  those  enor- 
mities upon  the  British  nation  ;  but  rather  consider  them 
the  disgraceful  acts  of  a  few  rufiian  individuals,  who  mity 
be  found  every  where,  or  at  most  attribute  them  to  the 
mistaken  policy  of  a  corrupt  ministry ;  let  us  believe  that 
every  virtuous  Englishman  condemns  them.  It  is  in  vain 
for  Britait  to  tell  us  that  she  is  fighting  the  battles  of  the 
world,  while  we  see  her  the  tyrant  of  the  seas  ;  it  is  in 
vaiiv  to  tell  us  that  she  is  the  bulwark  of  our  religion, 
while  she  stirs  up  the  fury  of  the  savage,  to  destroy  the 
helpless  and  the  innocent.  We  have  no  wish  to  be  other- 
wise than  on  terms  of  friendship  with  England,  while  she 
refrains  from  insulting  our  national  independence.  We 
have  a  common  origin,  a  common  language,  institutions 
nearly  similar,  freed  from  gross  corruptions  and  abuses, 
and,  to  use  the  elegant  language  of  Milton,  we  draw  light 
from  the  same  fountain.     Should  Britain  ever  need 

A    FRIEND,   NOTWITHSTANDING    THE    WRONGS  SHE    HAS    '' 
INFLICTED,  SHE  WILL     FIND   A     SINCERE    ONE   IN   AmB- 
RIGA. 

To  US  the  war  is  pregnant  with  important  lessons.  We 
have  acquired  a  knowledge  of  our  weakness  and  of  our 
strength.  Our  confederation  wilt  rise  like  a  pyramind,  its 
base  eternal.  Our  best  policy  is  peac<*,  if  honourable,  but 
war  sooner  than  the  slightest  insult.  Fair  and  honourable 
policy  to  all  nations,  preferring  iustice  to  profit.  One  les- 
son we  have  been  taught,  which  was  worth  the  sum  we 
have  paid  for  the  war,  that  we  are  weak  in  the  pur- 

SeiT  OF  conquest,  but  ALL  POWERFUL  IN  DEFEJ^GE* 

FINIS. 


